Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara has held off on signing a contract extension with the German champions, as he considers his options ahead of the summer – with Liverpool, supposedly, on his mind.
The Spain international midfielder joined Bayern under Pep Guardiola in 2013 for a fee of 25 million euros, and went on to become one of the league’s best players, winning seven Bundesliga titles.
However, with his contract set to expire next summer, the Bavarian giants are keen to tie down their talisman – whose current contract expires in 2021 – to a longer deal.
The midfielder has failed to agree terms on a new deal with Bayern/ANP Sport/Getty Images.
Despite the player and club nearing a deal, the 29-year-old is ‘reluctant’ when it comes to actually putting pen to paper, reports Sport Bild. Thiago told the hierarchy he could not explain his reluctance, and Bayern officials now fear he is ready to leave the Allianz Arena.
With Thiago approaching his thirties, this is likely to be his last chance to make a major move abroad, should he dream of making it to the Premier League during his career.
And this is where Liverpool comes in…
Bild reporter Christian Faulk revealed that there are rumors within the team that the player ‘wants to join Liverpool’. Falk has supposedly told fans site Empire of the Cup that Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the deep-lying playmaker, only adding more fuel to the fire surrounding his future.
Update @fcbayern and Thiago: Team rumored to want to join @LFC @SPORTBILD
— Christian Faulk (@cfbayern) June 24, 2020
As for Liverpool’s need for a new midfielder, Naby Keita’s long-term future at Anfield is also in doubt, while Adam Lallana will leave at the end of the season. In addition, vice-captain James Milner turns 34 this year and Gini Wijnaldum has not agreed to a contract extension beyond 2021.
But even if Liverpool are interested in signing the former Barcelona playmaker, question marks remain over whether a deal can come to fruition.
The Reds famously pulled out of a deal to sign long-term target Timo Werner, which would have completed a £50m move to Chelsea this summer, with the financial impact of the pandemic on Liverpool Reluctance to spend big has been cited as the reason.
Thiago won seven Bundesliga titles at Bayern Munich/De Fudi Images/Getty Images.
At 29, Thiago is also older than the majority of Liverpool’s FSG signings and would represent a tactical break.
Interestingly, Sport Bild’s report notes that the player is ‘feeling good in Munich’ and is happy with his team-mates and head coach Hansi Flick, raising the question whether this is all due to a better deal at Bayern. It’s just a gimmick for terms.