Thiago not a definite starter; Wijnaldum should leave Liverpool, says pundit

Thiago Alcantara TEAMtalk

New £25m man Thiago Alcantara will not take anyone’s place at Liverpool, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Bayern Munich midfielder is set to finalise his move to Anfield on Friday after the two clubs finally agreed a fee of £20m, plus £5m in add-ons.

Bayern are understood to have driven the deal after initiating talks last Monday.

The Bundesliga side were keen to get Thiago’s future resolved before they started their Bundesliga campaign against Shalke on Friday.

Senior officials at the Bavarian club urged Liverpool to conclude the transfer in conversations last Monday and a £25m deal was struck.

The classy Spaniard is set to become only Jurgen Klopp’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Kostas Tsimikas.

There remains a question mark over the future of Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch midfielder is out of contract next summer and although reports claim he has decided to stay at Anfield, there has been no indication of the 29-year-old signing a new deal.

And former Aston Villa forward Agbonlahor says Thiago will have a fight to get a starring place, especially with Wijnaldum around.

“I don’t see that, I see it as why would Liverpool want to sell Wijnaldum when they can add to their squad?” Agbonlahor told Sky Sports News.

 

 

“Every other team is strengthening, building a bigger squad, he’s going to add to Liverpool, he’s not going to take anyone’s place.

“There might be some games where Wijnaldum will play, some games where Thiago will play, I think Jurgen Klopp will start to mix up his team.

“So I still see Wijnaldum staying at Liverpool and Thiago not playing every game.”

Last chance

Wijnaldum Keita Liverpool TEAMtalk

Wijnaldum is understood to be a target for Barcelona, with new boss Ronald Koeman eager to link-up again with Wijnaldum. Koeman managed Wijnaldum while he was in control of the Holland national side.

Agbonlahor added: “If you’re Wijnaldum, he played every game under Ronald Koeman for Holland, so he’s got the chance to go and play for a manager that he knows, he likes playing with.

“How many times will you get a chance to go and play for Barcelona?

“They might not be the team they’ve been over recent years but it’s still Barcelona, you’re getting the chance to go and play with [Lionel] Messi, with superstars at Barcelona.

“He’s coming to 28, 29, so it may be his last chance for that big move.

“So if I was Wijnaldum and I got offered that chance to go to Barcelona, I would definitely be pushing that move through.”

READ MORE: Klopp fires ominous warning at Liverpool’s chasing pack