Liverpool backed to sign Thiago

Liverpool are looking to recruit Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich to replace Georginio Wijnaldum, whose future hangs in the air.

Liverpool are long-term admirers of Thiago Alcantara, who seems to be on the verge of cutting ties with Bayern Munich after seven years.

The parties have already found an agreement over personal terms, with the Merseyside giants now chasing a deal with reigning Bundesliga title-holders.

With the 29-year-old midfielder in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena, newly-crowned Premier League champions are expected to fork out around £30million to secure Thiago’s signature.

The Spaniard’s arrival has become a necessity since the news of Barcelona’s interest in Georginio Wijnaldum emerged in public.

Wijnaldum is Ronald Koeman’s top transfer target for rebuilding his Barca side.

Thiago, who’s likely to start for Bayern in their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, would be a huge signing for Liverpool, according to Don Hutchison.

“I think that’s the problem. I think people are probably looking at Liverpool and thinking ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it’ because they have been sensational,” he said, as relayed by the Express Sport.

“The worry is, Gini Wijnaldum’s going into the last year of his contract and he’s been linked with Barcelona today and maybe working with Ronald Koeman again.

“I think that’s the problem but when you look at what Thiago’s been doing for Bayern, not just in the Champions League that we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks, but in the many years he’s been there, he is just a ridiculous talent.

“He plays the game at his own tempo, his own speed, his range of pass is good, he can keep it simple.

“If the full-backs are bombing forward he can stand still, he can pick up that little pocket to protect his centre-halves if they ever need protection, and his long range of passing is ridiculous as well.

“So he can hit the likes of [Sadio] Mane down the left-hand side and Mo Salah and drop balls into Firmino.

“I think for the money that’s being talked, in and around £30m, I think it’s an absolute steal.”