Liverpool urged to sign ‘ridiculous talent’ amid Wijnaldum fears

Georginio Wijnaldum TEAMtalk

Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison thinks the club must act quickly to bring in Thiago Alcantara amid concerns over Georginio Wijnaldum’s future.

Wijnaldum is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield, and has been linked with a move to Barcelona. That’s because his international boss of the past two years, Ronald Koeman, is now Barca manager.

Meanwhile, Thiago appears to be Liverpool’s top target in midfield. The Spain international is keen to move to Anfield, but the Premier League champions are yet to meet Bayern Munich’s €30m asking price.

However, Hutchison believes it is essential that Liverpool do pursue a move for Thiago. The pundit told ESPN FC (via Goal) that the 29-year-old would be an “absolute steal” for the money Bayern want.

Hutchison said: “I think people are probably looking at Liverpool and thinking ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’, because they have been sensational.

“The worry is, Gini Wijnaldum’s going into the last year of his contract and he’s been linked with Barcelona and maybe working with Ronald Koeman again.

“I think that’s the problem but when you look at what Thiago’s been doing for Bayern, not just in the Champions League that we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks but in the many years he’s been there, he is just a ridiculous talent.”

‘Thiago plays at his own tempo’

 

Hutchison went on to explain what makes Thiago so special.

“He plays the game at his own tempo, his own speed, his range of pass is good, he can keep it simple.

“If the full-backs are bombing forward he can stand still, he can pick up that little pocket to protect his centre-halves if they ever need protection, and his long range of passing is ridiculous as well.

“So he can hit the likes of [Sadio] Mane down the left-hand side and Mo Salah and drop balls into [Roberto] Firmino.

“I think for the money that’s being talked, in and around £30 million, I think it’s an absolute steal.”

Thiago, like Wijnaldum, is out of contract next summer. That’s why Liverpool are reluctant to pay the full asking price – with some reports even suggesting they could take a risk by waiting until January to try and sign him.