After suffering a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Thursday night, Liverpool fans woke to better news today regarding the potential signing of Thiago Alcântara.
According to the Spanish news outlet, SPORT, the Bayern Munich midfielder could be joining Jürgen Klopp’s Reds for a fee in the region of £32 million.
The article states that ‘Alcântara seems set to head to Liverpool from Bayern Munich’ and ‘that negotiations are very advanced.’
Alcântara joined FC Bayern for €25 million in the summer of 2013 as a 22-year-old. Now 29, Alcântara is entering the final year of his contract with the German giants and could leave on a free next summer.
Thiago was born in Italy to Brazilian parents. In fact, his father is former Brazil international Mazinho who won a Copa America (1989) and World Cup (1994) during his career as a defensive midfielder. Thiago’s brother is the former Barcelona player – now at Celta Vigo – Rafinha (Rafael Alcântara).
Despite his Italian and Brazilian connections, Thiago has played international football for Spain ever since his schoolboy days.
Thiago is a top-class central midfielder who can mix incredible technique and passing accuracy with a level of tenacity rarely seen in such a silky performer.
The article in SPORT goes on to state that ‘Thiago is looking for new challenges. The agreement between the player and Liverpool is done. Bayern want 35m euros for him.
Liverpool don’t want to pay that in one go. If they can’t reduce the price they will look for more imaginative formulas to make the payment.’
At 29, Thiago certainly doesn’t fit the typical profile of a Michael Edwards/FSG/Jürgen Klopp signing, however, a talent such as his cannot be ignored at such a low price.
Watch this space.
For the most in-depth tactical and statistical analysis regarding Liverpool FC, sign up now! The original home of Pressing Stats, Anfield Index also brings you the latest views from club legends such as Jan Molby.
Hear from the UK’s top journalists, managers, professionals, sports scientists, physios and sports psychologists as we bring you the ultimate LFC fan experience provided on approximately 30 podcasts every month for our AI:Pro listeners!!
Enjoy all this and more for just £4.99 per month at Anfield Index Pro!!
His profile does not suit FSG but his talent and medal collection certainly does, exceptional footballer with vision and technique, 35m Euro’s is a bargain for his quality. Klopp will see him as a 3 year project to upgrade our creativity next season, he would be way above anything we have technically in the squad right now, he would take us up a level for sure!.