Liverpool already have an agreement in place to bring the Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara to Anfield this summer, according to reports.
What’s the latest in the saga?
The Spaniard, who has a year left on his contract in Bavaria, has decided against putting pen to paper on an extension and is looking for a new challenge for the 2020/21 campaign.
Understandably, Bayern would rather sell now than let him walk away on a free transfer in 12 months time.
According to SPORT1 (via Sport Witness), the Merseysiders are considered to be the “top interested” party for the Spain international’s services and that there has already an agreement between Jurgen Klopp’s side and the former Barcelona star with a £30m fee placed on his head, as they learned from associated “club circles”.
The report adds that an agreement with last season’s Bundesliga winners is still to be met regarding a transfer fee.
With Bayern taking on Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final on Friday, it is unlikely that any confirmation will be made until Hans-Dieter Flick’s European campaign comes to an end.
Likely to rumble on
Prior to Liverpool capturing their first Premier League title in their history and their first league crown in 30 years, Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed that Thiago wanted to leave the club and hinted at a possible move to England.
Manchester City have now entered the frame to do such thing which may put the Reds on their toes, due to the Citizens’ superior spending power, as per SportBild.
Can Liverpool sign Thiago this summer?
Yes, get the deal done Edwards
No, will be too expensive
With Thiago having worked with Pep Guardiola when he was manager of Bayern previously, it could be an indication that the blue half of Manchester are in fact in pole position to get him.
Liverpool have already seen deals fall through on them this summer due to financial restrictions. Firstly for RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner, who eventually made the switch to Chelsea, and for Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis, with his club wanting £20m before opening negotiations.
Whatever happens, this is likely to be one of the main transfer sagas of the summer with no clear indication as to what might happen.