Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has been constantly linked with a move to Liverpool this summer. Today we have a look at all the news surrounding it.
Initial rumours over a move for Thiago really came out of nowhere. Bild’s Christian Falk reported near the end of June on rumours that the midfielder was after a shock exit from the Bundesliga giants and had his eyes set on the new Premier League champions. Falk claimed a new contract had been ‘fixed’ between the 29-year-old and the German league winners but the player had apparently changed his mind. £30m was the figure most commonly reported. But with Thiago being in the final year of his contract at Bayern and aged 29, that could be too high a fee for Klopp to spend on a player not guaranteed to start every game.
Then Bayern Munich manager was asked about the rumours involving Thiago following his side’s 4-0 win over Wolfsburg. Hansi Flick said: “I don’t think about it at all, that Thiago could leave us,” Flick said. “I have always said that Thiago is an amazing player who can give a lot to a team. Therefore, I do not think about that at all. And I think after such a game and such a season, you have to accept as a journalist that not every question can be answered.” Then club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted the player wished to leave the club. In an interview with Bild, reported by Bavarian Football Works, Rummenigge explained the former Barcelona player is keen for a new experience before the end of his career. He said: “(Thiago is) a top guy on and off the pitch. We negotiated seriously with him and satisfied all his wishes. But it looks like he would like to try something new again at the end of his career. We do not want to lose any player for free next year. I will say that very clearly.” Although the club boss was clear to state that Jurgen Klopp had not picked up the phone. He said: “We have still had no contact with Liverpool. If he wants to do that, we will have to deal with it.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp finally broke his silence somewhat regarding the rumours two weeks after they all began. There was even a suggestion Liverpool have already agreed personal terms with the 29-year-old, who entered the final 12 months of his contract at Bayern. Klopp was asked about the rumours shortly after watching his side earn a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa. His answer was very Jurgen Klopp, however. He said: “Would you be surprised if I don’t give an answer on that, just because I never answer these kinds of questions. Thiago Alcantara is a really good player. Like a lot of other players out there, I like (him) a lot. But that’s all I have to say about that.” Ahead of the clash with Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League during the 2018/19 campaign, Thiago lavished praise on Klopp’s men before the Bundesliga outfit suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat. The quotes were revisited in light of the recent rumours and there is clearly an admiration there. At the time he said: “We know perfectly, this team. What they are, what they have,” he said prior to the first leg.
Klopp’s side have been linked with a number of players heading into the summer transfer window, but the Liverpool boss has consistently played down the possibility of new additions. He referenced last summer’s transfer window – when they spent next to nothing – as evidence that you don’t need to go crazy in the market to succeed. “Imagine last year when we had 97 points, all of you (the media) what would have been your recommendation to me?” he said. “Who should we bring in to have a chance to close the one-point gap to City? But we didn’t and you saw what happened. We cannot buy just because other teams buy, we cannot buy because everybody wants us to.” But inspite of these latest comments, the rumours about Thiago are not going away. Do you think Liverpool will sign the Spanish midfielder?
Klopp’s side have been linked with a number of players heading into the summer transfer window, but the Liverpool boss has consistently played down the possibility of new additions.
