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Liverpool transfer target Thiago drops Anfield hint with clear Bayern Munich message
Liverpool have been speculatively linked with a move for Thiago Alcantara this summer.
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Thiago has doubled down on his future and told Bayern Munich there is no going back on an exit this summer. The club held a second round of talks with the midfielder to see if there was any chance that he could be persuaded to stay put.
He has been a mainstay in several Bayern sides under Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jump Heynckes, Niko Kovac and Hansi Flick.
Thiago has won seven Bundesliga titles in Bavaria but has not won the Champions League with the club, something they could still achieve this season when Europe's elite club competition returns next month.
But Thiago is prepared to leave before then if it means he will be with a new club for the start of the new campaign.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is said to have green-lighted a move but any final decision will rest with the Anfield board.
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The Reds will have the chance to land him this summer after Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed that Thiago is adamant he wants to leave.
"In fact, the talks Hasan had with him have always been very productive. And at some point it actually seemed that it was done [a new contract at Bayern]," Rummenigge told Sky Germany.
"But then Thiago informed Hasan that he would like to do something new. We have to accept that."
Bayern were initially looking for £31million to sell Thiago, but now they look set to reduce their asking price to £25m.
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The German club are not entertaining the idea of losing a player of his quality and value on a free transfer a year down the line.
"We have a contract with Thiago that is still valid for one year and if he reaches an agreement with any club then that club should pay a transfer fee of a certain amount," he added.
"I do not want to make any public comment about the fee that we have in mind. As I have already said, we'll not have a summer sale at Bayern. There will always have to be a certain amount that will make us sell a player.
"I'm not angry at all, I like him. I think he's a great footballer and he has a good character too.
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"You shouldn't forget either that at 29, he is at an age where, if he wants to do something new, he has to do it now."
Given his age, Thiago does not align with Liverpool's current transfer strategy.
Liverpool are unlikely to move for the former Barcelona man unless they cannot resolve Gini Wijnaldum's contract situation.
The Dutchman and his agent are in talks with Liverpool over a new deal, with just one year remaining on his current contract.