Pressure on Thiago as Bayern boss cracks joke over Liverpool transfer
Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has turned the tables on Thiago Alcantara after cracking a joke over the midfielder’s rumoured move to Liverpool.
The Reds have been conspicuous by their relatively reserved approach to the summer transfer window.
Back-up left-back Kostas Tsimikas was acquired to provide competition for Andy Robertson. However, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren are still to be replaced following their departures.
One such answer could be Bayern midfielder Thiago, who has been repeatedly linked with the Anfield club.
The classy Spaniard has got ex-Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney concerned at the prospect of him joining.
Thiago’s importance to Bayern was underlined on Sunday evening as he helped the club beat PSG 1-0 in the Champions final. His superb 25-yard ball set Bayern in motion as an excellent move saw Kingsley Coman head in the winner.
The commentators on the game were very much of the opinion that Thiago was playing his last game for Bayern. However, after the match, Flick was also asked about the possibility of the player moving to Anfield.
Flick insisted that the midfielder is still yet to make his mind up over his future, and could still stay next year.
“He told me that he would stay [at Bayern],” the boss joked after the match.
“I just thanked him.
“I don’t know [where his future lies], he doesn’t know himself yet.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the next few days.”
Bayern are thought to have stuck a €30m price tag on his head with the player having just 10 months left on his contract.
Liverpool’s inaction has sparked interest from Arsenal as they sense an opportunity.
Nicol suggests Liverpool may wait on Thiago
Pundit and former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has backed his old club to get the deal over the line. However, he admits the Reds may have to wait until the expiry of Thiago’s contract.
“Well it’s really in the hands of the Bayern board, if Liverpool don’t come up with a compromise, and I think it was £30million Bayern wanted,” Nicol said.
“If they come up with a compromise that suits Bayern, then it’ll happen.
“But if it doesn’t happen in this window, then it’s going to happen next summer when his contract runs out. It’s in Bayern’s interest to get some amount of money rather than nothing.
“This way both Thiago is happy and Bayern receive a decent amount of money as well. It’s hanging in the balance and it’s really down to the board, they’ve got to agree on a price.
“Liverpool have shown they won’t be pushed around by anybody and ff the price isn’t right they won’t take him right now.”
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