Thiago backed to adapt to Premier League football with no problems

Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes adapting to Premier League wouldn’t be a problem for rumored Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara.

Thiago is almost certainly on his way out of Bayern Munich as his contract expires next year, with Liverpool keen to sign him.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed Thiago’s desire to leave, but warned he expects a decent fee in return for anybody interested in signing his wantaway midfielder.

This has proven to be quite the obstacle for Liverpool this summer. The Reds are interested but are reportedly reluctant to match Bayern’s asking price of €30m. Especially as there is under 12 months left on his current contract in Munich.

It’s also understood that Thiago is keen on linking up with Jurgen Klopp and is an admirer of the style of play that the German has adopted at Anfield.

But while Mertesacker is certain the former Barcelona player will adapt to English football, he wasn’t quite so sure about his chances of breaking into Klopp’s line-up.

“I can already imagine the transfer, but the midfield axis of Liverpool is set up,” the now-Arsenal academy manager told Goal and SPOX.

“Getting in there is very ambitious, but he’s a top footballer who can play anywhere.

“He wouldn’t have any problems with the style of play in England either because he’s a footballer who has been coached well.

“He has to adapt and sometimes do a 40-meter sprint to hit a central defender, but he can.

“He has to decide for himself, as it may well be that he won’t play a major role in the first games in Liverpool. There are still a few players ahead of him because of their achievements over the past two years.”