Speaking recently on the Ask Ornstein YouTube show, David Ornstein discussed Liverpool’s potential interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Joining Bayern Munich from Barcelona in what was a £22.5 million deal back in 2013, Thiago has gone on to play 232 games for the Bundesliga side, scoring 31 goals and providing 37 assists.
The 29-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the German giants, however, earlier this summer, he informed the club that he would like to leave in order to find a new challenge.
Liverpool were then linked with a move for the player, who it was reported that Bayern would like around €35 million (£31.6 million) for.
However, Ornstein claimed that Liverpool would go ‘nowhere near’ Bayern’s valuation of the midfielder, which he believes to be €50 million (£45 million), meaning that the deal looks unlikely.
He said: “We know Jurgen Klopp admires Thiago, and we know Thiago, by the sounds of it, would love to come to Liverpool. That’s the easy part; the more difficult part is the finance.
“It’s my understanding that Bayern Munich would want around €50 million for Thiago, even though he only has a year left on his deal, even though he wants to leave – they see the value that he presents to them as being worthwhile and they don’t need to sell him; they could let him go as a free agent next summer without a problem.
“Liverpool will go nowhere near that valuation, and that’s a real problem. It means that this potential deal will probably rumble on right until the end of the window. We’ll hear lots in the media, and there’s definitely no guarantee that it will even get close.
“I think it’s looking unlikely at this stage. And I don’t think Liverpool would look for an alternative player. He’s a unique player that if you can get him, you take that opportunity, but if you don’t, then maybe it’s best to go with what you already have.”
TIF Thoughts…
As such, it appears as if Liverpool and Thiago, as much as they apparently admire each other, may not be united this summer, with Ornstein stating that the club are not willing to meet Bayern’s asking price for the player.
Do you think Thiago would be worth Liverpool spending a large fee on this summer?
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No
However, if the £43.2 million-rated Thiago does leave on a free next summer, then it would appear that Liverpool will most likely be an option for the player then.