Liverpool transfer news: Move 'requested' by Flamengo manager

Flamengo are interested in a summer deal for Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, according to a report.

The 32-year-old has yet to feature for the Reds in 2023/24, as he continues his slow recovery from hip surgery at the end of last season.

Setbacks have complicated Thiago's return, with Jurgen Klopp coy on when the midfielder – who last started a game in February last year – might be able to make his comeback.

Fans also got a rare glimpse of the No. 6 in December when he appeared in Mohamed Salah's 200 goals team pic, while he also posted a snap of himself returning to training.

Most recently, assistant manager Pep Lijnders hinted it'll likely be February before Thiago returns to full team training.

He said: "[Thiago] will not be ready for the end of this month. It will probably be going into the next month to train with us."

How many Liverpool games Thiago has left remains to be seen, with the four-year contract he signed back in 2020 set to expire this summer.

The 46-cap Spain international is, as of this month, able to discuss terms with foreign clubs over a summer and it seems there are already suitors.

According to Brazilian journalist Julio Miguel Neto, Thiago is wanted by Flamengo, with coach Tite putting in a "request" for the deep-lying playmaker.

It is added that the club's vice-president Marcos Braz and director of football Bruno Spindel are due to travel to Europe for talks over transfer targets and will meet with Thiago's father and advisor, Mazinho – a former Brazil international, now based in Spain.

Neto claims that Liverpool have no intention of keeping Thiago beyond this summer, while a recently resurfaced interview with TNT Sport shows Thiago proclaiming his childhood admiration for Flamengo.

The Rio-based club, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2022, are said to be "carefully analysing" the medical side before moving forward with a move.

It is noted that Thiago – currently one of Liverpool's top earners – would need to adapt to the "financial reality" of playing in Brazil, while there is also competing interest from Saudi Arabia.