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Liverpool FC are closing in on the signing of Roberto Firmino – having agreed a deal with Hoffenheim for the Brazilian forward.

The ECHO revealed on Tuesday that a Liverpool delegation had held a meeting with the player’s representatives at the Copa America in Chile where he is currently on duty with his nation.

It is now understood a deal has been agreed in principle with both the player and his club although Firmino will require a work permit before he can complete his deal to Anfield. The ECHO understands the Reds are confident of meeting those requirements however.

It is believed the deal will make the 23-year-old the Reds’ second most expensive player ever, with a fee in the region of £25m-£30m.

Firmino, who scored the winner for Brazil against Venezuela on Sunday, has been in the Bundesliga since 2011, scoring 35 goals in 140 appearances for Hoffenheim, playing a traditional number 10 style role.

Reports in Brazil this morning suggested a deal was already in place and although that was premature, the Reds were hopeful of securing his signature.

IN PICTURES: Liverpool FC transfer target Roberto Firmino

The likely fee would place Firmino at number two on Liverpool’s most expensive ever signings, below only the £35m infamously shelled out on Andy Carroll in January 2011 and ahead of the £25m spent prising Adam Lallana away from Southampton last summer.

Firmino will be back in action on Saturday where the Neymar-less team – the Barcelona striker is banned from the rest of the tournament – will take on Paraguay in the Copa quarter finals.

He is likely to start the game alongside his possible future team-mate, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho. who started against Venezuela and played for 67 minutes.

READ MORE: Liverpool target South American duo Carlos Bacca and Salomon Rondon