As the spanish club looks to strengthen their squad in the coming transfer windows, barcelona is keeping an eye on liverpool midfielder thiago alcantara. Thiago alcantara, who played a century for barcelona after graduating from their academy, has yet to play for the reds this season, the spaniard being sidelined due to a hip injury that required surgery earlier this year.
Since missing action in april, the former bayern munich star has suffered a string of setbacks on his way to recovery, but jurgen klopp has indicated that he is getting closer to returning to first-team football. The 32-year-old is expected to play a key role for the reds this season, but his deal expires next summer and liverpool is unlikely to renew his current contract. Old club barca isn’t concerned about thiago’s lack of game time, though, as la blaugrana is apparently interested in bringing him back to catalonia. Xavi is keeping an eye on his ex teammate, according to spanish newspaper sport. Thiago could make a move to la liga in january, but they seem to be much more likely to sign him on a free transfer next season.
From january 1, thiago will be free to sign a pre-contract with his old club, according to sport, as barca is already planning for next season. Given the spanish club’s financial difficulties, they have increasingly used the free agent market in recent years, signing former manchester city midfielder ilkay gundogan for nothing last season. Thiago appears to be a barcelona signature in the modern age, while the la masia product could be tempted by a return to la liga.
However, there is a slim chance that liverpool will extend thiago’s contract next season, as klopp is a man who is devoted to players he trusts. Last summer, the maestro was offered the opportunity to join the saudi pro league, but instead chose to stay at anfield. How much of a future he has on merseyside will depend on his contributions in the second half of the season.
