According to a recent print edition of SportBild (transcripted and translated by Sport Witness), Liverpool are eyeing a €20m move for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara this summer. However, the same source has also mentioned that Bayern are expecting at least double that amount, meaning they are set to demand around €40m or more for their prized asset. It is believed that the Reds are prepared to play ‘poker’ with the Bavarian giants to get Thiago on a cheaper deal after the player has decided against extending his current contract at the Allianz Arena (via SportBild).
Thiago’s Solid Form At Bavaria This Season
The Spanish playmaker has enjoyed another impressive campaign at Munich after putting in a series of eye-catching performances at the centre of Hans-Dieter Flick’s midfield. He has participated in 36 matches for the German champions this term, netting three goals and providing two assists on all fronts.
Despite the fact that the 29-year-old has not been as productive as he was in the previous years, yet he deserves some praise for his overall contributions in the Bayern midfield. Thiago has averaged 2.1 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 0.5 clearances, 0.7 shots, 1.0 key passes and 2.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League this season. He has also been quite accurate with his ball-distribution after completing 90.5% of his attempted passes in league football (stats via whoscored).
The former Barcelona midfielder has also secured 37 senior caps for the Spanish national side, registering two goals for his homeland in the process. Maybe a summer switch to Liverpool could help him reinvent himself so that he can keep performing at a high level for both club and country in the years to come.
What Will The Bayern Playmaker Bring To Anfield?
Thiago can play a wide range of passes and is a very dangerous dribbler with the ball in the opposition half. He is proficient at opening up the opposition defence and is not shy of having a shot at goal from long range. The Spaniard can also put in a tireless shift defensively as he can pull off some crucial interceptions and last-ditch clearances for his team.
Thiago has won a lot of trophies during his career which makes him a decent choice for the Merseyside giants ahead of the new season. He will share a similar winning mentality with the rest of the Liverpool squad. The Spanish playmaker will not only add more flair and dynamism to the Reds midfield, but also improve the overall quality of their squad. However, there is no hiding from the fact that Jurgen Klopp is quite well-stocked in his midfield department and so Thiago could prove to be a luxury acquisition rather than a necessary one this summer.
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum have mostly been Klopp’s preferred choice in match-days, while the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Curtis Jones have proven their worth as capable back-ups for them at Anfield this season. With all things considered, the Merseyside outfit should consider all of their options before deciding whether to orchestrate a move to land Thiago this summer.