Al-Ahli "submit £10m bid" for Thiago but he remains "focused on Liverpool"
By
Daryl Finch
Daryl Finch
Having already lost captain Jordan Henderson and their midfield "lighthouse" Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League, Thiago Alcantara could be the next player from Liverpool's engine room to head to the Middle East this summer.
That's according to French newspaper L'Équipe which has reported that Al-Ahli have made an initial offer of £10 million (€12 million) that would see the Spaniard reunited with former teammate Roberto Firmino.
Thiago's contract at Anfield has just one year remaining and, at 32 years of age, he is currently approaching a crossroads regarding his future in the long term.
An opportunity to cash in?
With his advancing years and an injury-plagued last season, Liverpool may see this as a potential opportunity to cash in and avoid Thiago following in the footsteps of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in leaving for free next summer.
But given that there have already been five departures from the midfield during this transfer window, the potential loss of another key player right before the start of the season would undoubtedly deal a significant setback to coach Jürgen Klopp and his plans, especially with only Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister coming through the door so far.
"Focused on Liverpool"
That said, an exit for Thiago seems unlikely at this stage. According to Fabrizio Romano, the former Bayern Munich man remains "focused on Liverpool as he has already turned down several approaches from Saudi this summer".
Thiago has also been linked with a return to Spain this summer, with moves to Andalusian side Sevilla and his former club Barcelona also mooted but not materialising.
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