If this is anything to go by, it’s pretty certain that we’ll end up only paying £21m for the hopefully brilliant Roberto Firmino – rather than the £29m we might have to pay in total add-ons – as was agreed when we signed the forward from Hoffenheim last week!
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James Pearce of the Echo reckons the fee for the 23-year-old Brazilian will only rise by £8m providing he becomes one of the greatest sporting all-rounders in history and collects tennis, rugby and rowing trophies during his time in England…
@djwalms Yes, that’s right if you go by what the fee could rise to. It’s £21m up front, possibly rising to £29m with add ons
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 1, 2015
@jamievere @djwalms if he wins Wimbledon, the Boat Race and the Challenge Cup in the next 5 years they get the extra £8m. — James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 1, 2015
Of course, Pearce is clearly joking – proving that even those ‘in the know’ don’t understand the full details of what could become our second most expensive ever transfer.
In truth, the add-ons will be based on his overall appearances, goals and trophies collected during his time at Anfield.
Buying players with potentially big add-ons is smart business. If Firmino doesn’t settle (we really hope he will), he’d have been a necessary £21m gamble – and we’d be able to recoup most of that anyway.
If he does, and helps win us trophies, the £29m will be considered a bargain!
We can’t wait to see him play in our attack next season.