Reliable journalist ‘confirms’ Liverpool Thiago interest

Raphael Honigstein has confirmed Thiago Alancatara wants a Liverpool move.

Speaking on Sky Sports Transfer Talk podcast, the German, who works for The Athletic and Spiegel, said that Bayern Munich are just waiting for the Reds to put the finishing touches on their offer.

Thiago has been heavily linked with the Reds all summer, and after rejecting a new long-term deal, he is set to finally begin negotiations.

"Honigstein said: “He had a deal on the table but he changed his mind, so in this situation the club thought, of course, he has a deal with someone else.”"

That ‘someone else’ is yet to reveal their hand though, although it’s pretty universally accepted that it is Liverpool – but no formal offer has been made according to Honigstein.

The Spaniard has spent seven years with the Bavarians, having previously worked with then manager, a certain Pep Guardiola, at Barcelona.

With the Catalans he won two league titles after coming through La Macia, as well as a Champions League, a Copa del Rey and three other trophies.

Bayern have dominated German football since Thiago’s arrival, with seven titles and four DFB Pokal’s to his name.

At 29 and clearly looking for a new challenge, joining the champions of England wouldn’t be too bad – and Jurgen Klopp has previously admired him in the press without blatantly flirting.

But all this speculation doesn’t mean he is on his way to Anfield. Liverpool have distanced themselves from a deal repeatedly – but who doesn’t when their constantly linked, especially with financial negotiation so crucial for a shrewd club like Liverpool.

On that segway, Bayern have also allegedly dropped their asking price to £25 million – a bargain for a world class creative midfielder in his prime.

Honigstein’s developments will be exciting for Liverpool fans to hear – but still to be taken with a pinch of salt when it comes to Liverpool’s relevance within the story.

He said nothing exclusively about the Reds at all, only the desire of Thiago to not sign a new deal and leave Bayern Munich.

If Thiago’s desires correlate with Liverpool’s interest, the deal will be done – it’s whether Klopp believes he fits or not.