Man Utd reportedly agree fee to sign Brazil attacker Firmino

Manchester United, 5/1 third-favourites with Coral to win the Premier League next term, have agreed to sign Brazil starlet Roberto Firmino from German club Hoffenheim, according to reports.

The Red Devils are said to need a bid of around £21.6m to capture the attacking midfielder’s services, which would be a real coup given his form for the Bundesliga outfit last term.

Firmino, who is currently away with the Brazil squad for their Copa America campaign which they are 10/3 third-favourites to win, netted 12 times and made 10 assists for Hoffenheim to help them finish eighth, just behind Borussia Dortmund.

As a result of his fine form for the club he signed for in 2011, from Brazilian side Figueirense, he has earned six senior caps for the Samba Boys to date, scoring three times. His most recent strike came in a friendly against Honduras, in which he got the only goal.

Despite not being an out-and-out striker, playing just behind, Firmino is highly-rated by Coral in the top scorer market at the Copa America, being priced as joint-sixth favourite at 16/1.

Man Utd have been scouring the globe it seems for new talent this summer, as they reportedly have up to £200m to spend, and it is in attack that they are set to bolster.

The likes of Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez’s future at Old Trafford are in doubt, while Radamel Falcao has returned to parent club Monaco after failing to impress boss Louis van Gaal.

That could leave just captain Wayne Rooney, who has played further back in recent seasons, as the club’s only established striker, although promising youngsters James Wilson and Angelo Henriquez are still amongst their ranks.

If Firmino were to join, he would link up with compatriots Rafael Da Silva and Belgium-born Andreas Pereira, while other South Americans at the club include Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Henriquez.

Betting tip – Man Utd win 2015/16 Premier League @ 5/1