Thiago deal in doubt as transfer expert reveals what Liverpool won’t do
Major doubt has been cast on the rumoured switch of Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool this summer, after a transfer expert revealed there is “no way” the club will green-light a deal in its current guise.
The Spaniard, 29, appears set for a fresh challenge ahead of the upcoming season.
After rejecting a new contract with Bayern Munich, several leading European clubs threw their name in the hat to sign the classy midfielder.
The leading contender for the longest time appeared to be Liverpool, though their plans could hinge on first offloading a midfielder of their own.
Dutchman Gini Wijnaldum has been speculated as the most likely to fit that bill, but Sky Sports’ transfer expert, Dharmesh Sheth, has now revealed that a summer move for Thiago may not be on the cards at all.
Speaking on The Transfer Show (via Sky Sports), Sheth said: “It is clear that he has told Bayern Munich that he wants to leave, there was a contract extension on the table for him to sign and at the last minute.
“He decided not to sign that and he is out of contract next summer.
“He has told Bayern that he wants a new challenge and a lot of people think that will be in the Premier League, specifically at Liverpool.
“Although we know that Barcelona are also interested, which is an option for him.
“As far as Liverpool are concerned, our understanding of the situation is that these stories are being driven from the German side of any potential deal.
“Liverpool have not made a move for him yet and if they were to make a move, it would depend on a midfielder leaving.
“Of course, a lot of people think Gini Wijnaldum could be on his way to Barcelona to link up with Ronald Koeman but the information we have is that Barcelona have not made an official approach, although they are very interested in signing him.
“But there’s no way Liverpool are going to pay €30m for a 29-year-old who will be out of contract in nine or ten months.
“He’s a player who they could speak to in January to sign a pre-contract agreement with him so if Liverpool want him as much as people in Germany are saying they do, from Liverpool’s point of view, there’s always the option that they can wait until next summer.
“There’s no burning need to get Thiago in now.”
Liverpool dominate PFA Team of the Year
Liverpool have as many as five players in the PFA Team of the Year, including captain Jordan Henderson.
Henderson steered the Reds to their first top-flight title in 30 years as boss Jurgen Klopp’s men racked up a mammoth 99 points over the 2019/20 term – some 18 more than closest challengers Manchester City.
England midfielder Henderson scooped the Football Writers’ Association’s player of the year award, and has followed that up with inclusion in the all-star XI selected by his Premier League peers.
Marauding full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, talismanic centre-back Virgil Van Dijk and flying forward Sadio Mane complete the heavy Anfield influence on the team of the 2019/20 season.
There was no place, however, for either their goalkeeper Alisson, or striker Mohamed Salah.