Turkish club 'press the button' for Thiago transfer this month

Thiago Alcantara could leave Liverpool this week, according to one report in Turkey.

While most transfer deadlines across Europe (and Saudi Arabia) have now passed, the Turkish window remains open until Friday, 15 September.

Aksam claims that Trabzonspor are eyeing a late deal for Liverpool's Thiago, following the arrival of Nicolas Pepe from Arsenal.

It is said that the 2021/22 Super Lig winners are still keen to add reinforcements right up until deadline day and that the club hierarchy have 'pressed the button' for a Thiago move.

The report claims that Thiago, who is into the final year of his four-year contract at Liverpool, is keen to go to a club where he can secure regular game time, but has limited options following the close of the European and Saudi transfer windows.

Aksam claim that Thiago will be offered a salary package and signing bonus comparable to Pepe, though it is not specified how much that would be. However, Turkish-Football.com reported earlier in the week that Trabzonspor will pay Pepe €1.75m (£1.5m) for the 2023/24 season, while he will earn a €1.6m (£1.4m) signing-on fee.

The finances are just one reason to be skeptical of this report. The figures cited, if accurate, would constitute a massive pay decrease for Thiago, who is reported to be one of Liverpool's top earners on around £10m a year.

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool were open to offers for Thiago earlier in the summer, amid the much-discussed midfield rebuild, which saw the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch. However, the 32-year-old ultimately did not move and he has been included in the Reds' official Premier League squad for 2023/24 – though injuries have stopped him from making a matchday squad yet.

Thiago, who last started for Liverpool back in February, had been expected to be available for selection before the international break, but suffered a fresh issue in his latest recovery efforts.

"Thiago had a little setback,” Jurgen Klopp told reporters earlier this month. “He started training with the team and had a little setback so we have to slow down there a little bit.

“It’s not cool for him, it’s not cool for us but it’s how it is. Thiago will use the international break for that, to be up to speed I’m pretty sure. It should hopefully be enough.”