Chelsea and Liverpool provide stiff competition from Arsenal for highly-rated Brazilian Roberto Firmino.

Reports in Italy also suggest that Inter Milan have asked Hoffenheim to take the Brazilian to the Giuseppe Meazza on loan.

Firmino, 22, signed a three-year contract extension with the Bundesliga after his previous deal was due to end next summer. The Brazilian is now under-contract with Hoffenheim until 2017.

Following his contract extension, the Brazilian told the club's website: "I feel very much at home here. I like the path that the club is on. We play exciting football, the team spirit is great and I will continue working hard to help the team as much as I can in the future."

However, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is thought to be looking at more attacking talent to add depth to his squad for the upcoming 2014/15 season.

Recent reports suggest that the Gunners have submitted a bid of £8 million. However, Firmino's new contract has a minimum release clause of €25 million.

A move to the Emirates for Firmino would likely see Santi Cazorla leave the club, having been linked with a move to La Liga champions Atlético Madrid in the previous week.

Last season, Firmino started 33 games for Hoffenheim, scoring a total of 16 goals and finishing the season with 11 assists.

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