Thiago's father 'wishes' he would join La Liga club

Thiago Alcantara's father, Mazinho, has revealed his wish that his son would return to Spain to play for Celta Vigo.

32-year-old Thiago joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020 and has just one year left on his contract.

There has been speculation over his future this summer, with reports of interest from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Anfield Watch also learned that Liverpool would listen to offers for their talented midfielder, given he won't be offered a contract extension and will walk for free in 2024.

However, there has been little concrete interest in the former Barcelona star as Deadline Day approaches this Friday, and he is now likely to see out the remainder of his Liverpool deal.

READ MORE: Thiago can be more than Liverpool's 'luxury player' this season

One man who would like to see Thiago move is his dad. Mazinho – a former Brazil international – told the Spanish press that he 'wishes' his son would return to Spain and star for Celta Vigo.

"In football you never know, I hope so but at the moment it is very complicated because Thiago has another dimension and another lifestyle. But I wish Thiago could come here," Mazinho told reporters in Vigo, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

57-year-old Mazinho spent four years in northern Spain with Vigo between 1996 and 2000.

Thiago and his brother Rafinha also spent part of their childhoods in the province of Galicia, with the Liverpool star playing in the Ureca youth academy. However, he was never on the books with Celta.

While Celta Vigo – currently managed by Rafa Benitez – may be an unlikely destination for the two-time Champions League winning Thiago, he has regularly been touted for a return to Barcelona, where he spent eight years, graduating from the famous La Masia academy.

This season, Thiago has missed Liverpool's first three Premier League games as he recovers from injury and remains a doubt for involvement in Sunday's clash with Aston Villa.