Liverpool have agreed an initial £20 million (€22m/$26m) deal with Bayern Munich for midfielder Thiago Alcantara, Goal can confirm.
The Reds are stepping up their efforts to land the Spain international, with the fee potentially rising to £27m (€30m/$35m) in add-ons.
After months of speculation official contact has been made between the two clubs, with Liverpool now set to agree terms with the player, who is keen to move to Anfield.
A four-year deal has been agreed, with Thiago set to wear the No.6 shirt vacated by Dejan Lovren at Anfield. He will, however, not be in contention to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but could make his debut against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup next Wednesday.
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the agreement on Thursday, telling reporters: “I can confirm that Bayern has finally reached an agreement with Liverpool. It was Thiago’s great wish to do something new again at the end of his career.”
Sources have revealed that the Reds’ move for Thiago is not dependant on any outgoings, despite speculation linking Gini Wijnaldum with a move to Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona. Young striker Rhian Brewster has also been tipped for a switch away, with Sheffield United keen on signing the England under-21 star.
Thiago’s arrival, though, will provide a huge boost to the Premier League champions, whose sole business so far this summer has been the £10.8m signing of left-back Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiacos.
Looks like Thiago is one step closer to making his way to Anfield, as the Reds are finally making their move and are confident of reaching an agreement with the Bavarian giants.
In fact, they have agreed an initial £20m deal with Bayern Munich for Thiago Alcantara, with the fee potentially rising to £27m in add-ons.
The news comes after weeks of speculation and rumours – as both clubs have been in official talks, with Liverpool now set to agree terms with Alcantara, who is said to be keen to move to Anfield
Sources are saying that the deal will be for four years, with Thiago set to take the Number 6 shirt, which previously belonged to Dejan Lovren. If the deal goes through, Thiago’s debut with Liverpool will be against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup.
His arrival at Anfield will provide a huge boost to the Premier League Champions, who have so far signed just Kostas Tsimikas this summer, for £10.8m.
