The race to secure the transfer of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara continues but looks like it is about to enter an interesting chapter.
We have been heavily linked with the Spain international for several months now, with the Bavarian club’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirming that he wants to leave the club, via Sky Sports.
It seems to be going on forever. As I previously said, the longer it goes on, the less likely I feel this transfer will take place.
However, we may have been provided with some good news, with the Spaniard reportedly keen to move to Liverpool this summer.
Speaking to Empire of the Kop, transfer expert Jan Aage Fjortoft gave the latest on the Thiago saga and provided his verdict alongside it.
“Thiago said Auf Wiedersehen to his teammates at the end of the season… The management of Bayern said he would leave and that they “expect an offer in the coming days”. Then they put a €30m price-tag on him and the rest is poker.
“Now it seems like no club wants to pay that amount for 29-year-old – a player that has been struggling with injuries.
“So by saying he doesn’t mind staying, Thiago is actually putting pressure on Bayern to accept a lower fee – as the club will lose him on a Bosman come January 1 – for nothing.”
Fjortoft added that he believes Thiago would take the number six with us, adding that he is someone that never gives the ball away.
L4l’s view…
We simply are not willing to pay the £27m asking price for Thiago, The Guardian suggested. But with the player making it difficult for his club as well, this could only work in our favour.
There is no doubt in my mind that Thiago would improve our squad, and provide the extra strength in depth needed not just to keep the current squad on their toes, but to help us defend our Premier League title.
Putting pressure on to get the price down could help in terms of the poker game that is being played by all parties involved. I am a huge admirer of him – so is Jurgen Klopp. Even Gary Neville has urged us to go and get him, strangely.
If Fjortoft’s update is true – this could be seismic development in what has been a frustrating period for us all. The prospect of Thiago coming to the club is too big to turn down. Even though we should be looking to bring in a centre-back first, if Thiago is available, then why not?
