Manchester United could be in the race for Bayern Munich playmaker Thiago Alcantara, according to reports in Germany – while a prominent Italian journalist claims personal terms have already been agreed with Liverpool.
Thiago has enjoyed a highly successful career in Germany since signing from Barcelona in 2013, winning a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title this season.
Thiago Alcantara wants to leave Bayern Munich after seven successful years / D’Foddy Images / Getty Images
The 29-year-old has just one year left on his contract and Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge recently confirmed that the Spaniard wants to leave the club in the summer.
“We don’t want to lose it for free,” Rummenigg explained. “We had serious discussions with him but it seems he wants to try something new before the end of his career. We have never had any contact with Liverpool. If he wants to go there, we have to will have to be dealt with.”
Liverpool have been the club most heavily linked, but Bild reporter Christian Falk has now warned against ruling Manchester United out of the running. Responding to a Reds fan who asked where Thiago could end up this summer, Faulk confirmed the Premier League champions’ interest but also said there were ‘rumours’ of Old Trafford being another possible destination. ‘ are
Liverpool is a big topic. There are also rumors about @ManUtd.
— Christian Faulk (@cfbayern) July 4, 2020
Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming Liverpool were ‘very close’ to signing the player, although various outlets were conflicted on how much he would cost. More conservative estimates put Thiago’s price at around the €35m (£31.5m) mark, while others said a fee in excess of €60m (£54m) would be needed to prize him away from Bavaria.
The lower end of the price range is a figure bound by Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, and he has even gone so far as to claim that personal terms have been agreed between Liverpool and Thiago. He now expects a bid to be made in the next two days, with €30m up front and €5m in additions.
With United potentially in the running, the Reds could swipe another player from under their noses. Liverpool already lost long-term target Timo Werner against Chelsea, and Kai Huertz also looks unlikely to make it to Anfield.
Liverpool have agreed personal terms with Thiago Alcántara.
Bids for Bayern to be made in coming days: around €35m, Liverpool want €30m + €5m bonus
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 4, 2020
If Thiago opts to join United, he will likely join fellow Bundesliga star Jadon Sancho. The Red Devils have been chasing the Borussia Dortmund man for some time and are confident of signing him.