Liverpool ready to table offer for Bayern Munich star
Liverpool are preparing a bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara as club boss Hansi Flick admitted he is braced for some of his stars to leave the club following their treble success.
The German club completed their prestigious trophy haul by securing their sixth European Cup against PSG in what is likely to be Thiago’s last game for the club.
Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho will also be returning to Inter Milan and Barcelona respectively after their loan spells with Flick now facing the prospect of a mass exodus.
Flick told Die Zeit : “[We will] lose some players who have tremendous quality, we have to deal with that.
“If I could continue to work with this squad, that would be nice, but that is not the case.”
Thiago is the only permanent Bayern star currently looking close to the exit with the 29-year-old expected to leave in the coming weeks.
Liverpool have been told they must pay £27million to sign the Spaniard, who has less than 12 months remaining on his contract and has made it clear he wants to leave.
Bild reporter Christian Falk claims The Reds are ready to make their approach for Thiago in the coming days to set the wheels in motion for his switch to Anfield.
His arrival could accelerate the departure of Georginio Wijnaldum, who as it stands will leave Liverpool at the end of next season.
Contract talks between the club and Wijnaldum’s representatives are said to have stalled with Liverpool reportedly not willing to table a new deal for the Dutchman at this stage.
With just 10 months to go on his contract Wijnaldum is now being linked with a potential switch to Barcelona, where he would play under ex-Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman.
Jurgen Klopp is not thought to be keen on losing Wijnaldum who has been an integral part of his squad and the club’s recent successes.
However this summer may represent Liverpool’s best chances of receiving a fee for the midfielder, whose role in the side would almost certainly be reduced if Thiago completes his switch.
As far as Bayern are concerned the only player who presents an imminent threat of leaving is defender David Alaba, who is also out of contract next summer.
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Alaba has been attracting interest from Premier League clubs but Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is not concerned the 28-year-old will move on.
“I can’t imagine by any stretch of the imagination that David wants to leave FC Bayern,” he said.
“We have great interest in his staying, and I think he feels good at FC Bayern, too.”