Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told the club’s board he wants a deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara signed, sealed and delivered this summer.
The Spain international has entered the final 12 months of his contract in Germany and it is widely reported he is keen on a new challenge after a glittering spell in the Bundesliga.
Thiago has won the league title in each of his seven seasons with Bayern, including four cup triumphs – winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double this term – since joining the German giants from Barcelona in 2013.
He has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, with reports in Germany claiming he has already put his Munich home up for sale amid links with Liverpool and rivals Manchester United.
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But, according to Bild, Liverpool have stepped up their pursuit after Klopp signed off on the transfer with the Merseyside club’s board.
Bild also claim the Reds have already agreed personal terms with Thiago, although they are said to be willing to pay only around £23million for the 29-year-old, rather than Bayern’s full £36m asking price.
Bayern paid just £22m for a 22-year-old Thiago back in 2013, and he has enjoyed a stellar career in Germany.
But he is no longer a regular starter in the Bayern team, with Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich now their first choice midfield partnership.
He is in the last year of his contract, he’s 29 and with the coronavirus pandemic having a big affect on the finances of football, and Liverpool already using that as their reason to pass on Timo Werner, it is understood Liverpool want to get a better deal.
Bayern manager Hansi Flick has said he is still ‘hopeful’ that Thiago will remain at the Allianz Arena beyond this summer, after a number of his players recently signed new contracts.
But CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the club’s plans to sell.
“We had serious negotiations with him and fulfilled all of his wishes,” said the club chief.
“But it looks like he might want to do something new again at the end of his career.
“We have never had any contact with Liverpool. If he wants to do that, we have to deal with it.
“We don’t want to lose a player for free next year. I say that very clearly.”
