BARCELONA have joined Liverpool and Manchester United’s fight for Bayern Munich hero Thiago Alcantara – having reportedly contacted their ex-midfielder.
New Barca boss Ronald Koeman is after Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum.
Thiago consoles Barcelona’s Jordi Alba after Bayern Munich’s 8-2 Champions League romp but could yet be rejoining the Laliga giantsCredit: Manu Fernandez
Midfielder Thiago was with Barcelona from 2010-2013 before joining BayernCredit: PA:Empics Sport
But German newspaper Bild reports the Nou Camp board prefer an emotional return for Champions League winner Thiago, who helped Bayern humiliate Barca 8-2 in the quarter-finals.
Liverpool have been regarded as favourites to land the £27milllion-rated Spain ace, whose contract runs out next year.
And the Premier League champions seem to offer a more logical new home for the 29-year-old than United.
Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has just recruited £39m Ajax midfield star Donny van de Beek.
That means Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and fellow creative force van de Beek are battling to show they can all fit into the same United side, behind Solskjaer’s preference for three attackers.
In contrast, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has largely held back in the transfer market this summer.
And if Barcelona pursue van de Beek’s Holland team-mate Wijnaldum, then Klopp would surely be even keener on Thiago.
So far the 39-cap Spaniard has publically tried to shut down transfer talk.
He said at a press conference before last Friday’s Nations League clash with Ukraine: “I have not told anyone that I’m leaving.
“Every year, they put me in a different club.”
“I neither care nor am I interested (in the speculation).”
Lionel Messi arrives at Barcelona training for first time since handing in transfer request
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
