Thiago deal done as Klopp looks to remain on top
LIVERPOOL are on the brink of completing a £25million deal to land Thiago Alcantara as they aim to assert their position as Premier League champions. It had been a quiet summer for Liverpool in the transfer market but that all changed yesterday after they concluded negotiations with Bayern Munich for Thiago, the outstanding Spain midfielder, with whom they had been persistently linked.
In an added twist, Liverpool have also contacted Watford to register their interest in Ismaila Sarr, the Senegal forward, who performed so well against them last season and is valued by the Championship club at more than £35m.
This a clear statement of intent from Liverpool, who had seen all their rivals strengthen in recent months, and an indication that they do not plan to rest easy having won the title last season by 18 points. The addition of Thiago will enhance their prospects of repeating that success.
Michael Edwards, Liverpool’s sporting director, had been in discussions with his counterpart at Bayern, Hasan Salihamidzic, and he made a breakthrough, with Liverpool guaranteeing to pay a minimum of £20m over the next four years — the length of contract Thiago will sign. Thiago, who tied up loose ends in Munich earlier this week, arrived on Merseyside via a private flight to begin his medical yesterday. Personal terms have been agreed and the 29-year-old will wear the No 6 shirt, as he has done all through his career.
Should Liverpool win the Premier League or Champions League again before 2024, they will have to pay Bayern another £5m and there are other bonuses should he win any individual honours during his time at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has been tightlipped about Thiago whenever he has been asked about him, acknowledging simply he is ‘an excellent player’, but he will be thrilled about landing one of Europe’s leading midfield talents.
The move for Thiago does not, however, mean Liverpool will be looking to offload one of their current midfielders such as Gini Wijnaldum, who has nine months remaining on his contract and is wanted by Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman.
Wijnaldum had ‘positive’ discussions with Klopp after returning from international duty last week and while Liverpool would look to command a similar fee from Barcelona as Bayern want from Thiago, the situations are not linked.
Klopp holds Wijnaldum in the highest regard but Thiago has different qualities to Liverpool’s other midfielders and the manager believes he will add another dimension to their play. They are currently without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who faces
another six weeks out with knee ligament damage.
A feature in recent weeks of questions to Klopp has been whether he needs to add to new players, in light of their rivals strengthening, but this is an emphatic illustration that Liverpool are not prepared to settle for second best. It has been Liverpool’s wish to bring in support for forwards Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and that has led them to Sarr. The clubs have held discussions but Liverpool have not made a bid and will continue to monitor the situation.
Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are preparing to step up their interest in Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster who has held talks over his future with Klopp this week and will be allowed to leave permanently. Brighton are also keen.
Liverpool value Brewster at around £20m and any deal for the striker, 20, is set to include a buy-back clause.
He impressed on loan at Swansea in the Championship last season, scoring 11 goals in 22 games, and is seeking regular football to continue his development, which Liverpool believe he is not quite ready for at Anfield.