Speaking recently on the Football Writers Podcast, Adrian Clarke claimed he couldn’t understand why Manchester City are not interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder and Liverpool target, Thiago Alcantara, this summer.
After moving to Bayern from Barcelona in what was a £22.5 million deal back in 2013, Thiago has gone on to make 235 appearances for the German giants, scoring 31 goals and providing 37 assists along the way.
Last season, the 29-year-old made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals and averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.47 in the Bundesliga – ranking him as the club’s fourth-best performer in the league.
In addition to this, the Spaniard was influential in Bayern’s Champions League-winning campaign, as he provided two assists over his 10 appearances in the competition, averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.76.
Despite this recent success with Bayern, it has been reported that Thiago will be leaving Germany this summer, with Liverpool being touted as the most likely destination for the player.
However, Adrian Clarke recently claimed that he was surprised no other clubs – and in particular, Manchester City – were planning on making a move for the £43.2 million-rated man over the summer transfer window.
He said: “Thiago to Liverpool – wow. He would immediately make them red hot favourites to defend their [Premier League] crown.
“I don’t know why Manchester City wouldn’t be in for him alongside Liverpool. Rodri has done well, but I think that Thiago is a player that’s on a higher plane than Rodri, personally.
“So yeah, I’d be surprised if Man City didn’t try and compete for his signature.”
Do you think that City should make a move for Thiago this summer?
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TIF Thoughts…
From Clarke’s comments, then, it would appear that he is of the belief that Thiago would be an improvement on Manchester City midfielder, Rodri, who City signed for £63 million last summer, and that he feels Pep Guardiola’s side should indeed be in for the Bayern midfielder this summer.
Although from the recent reports, it would very much seem as if Thiago looks likely to make a move to Merseyside in the not so distant future, so, if City were indeed to snatch the Spaniard away from Liverpool, in our opinion, it would be a surprising turn of events.