Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Thiago Alcantara completes move as Reds eye Diogo Jota, Ismaila Sarr and Nuno Mendes plus Premier League updates
The Reds will now focus on young talent after completing a deal for the former Bayern Munich star
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Liverpool are finalising a move for Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich for just €30m in one of the biggest transfers of the summer window, though the Spain midfielder’s wages will add up to a sizeable investment for the Reds once his four-year deal on Merseyside expires. Now attention must turn to freshening up a group in its absolute prime - if not slightly on the way down.
That means finding a good landing spot for Rhian Brewster on loan, as their talented young striker needs to develop, rather than sit and wait behind Jurgen Klopp’s deadly front three. Could a move to Sheffield United suit everybody involved? Then there’s Ismaila Sarr, a big-money deal with high upside and more in line with acquiring Sadio Mane before he exploded to become the superstar is now is.
The Reds always remain active in the market and now, with Thiago, appear primed to plot their dominance for years to come. Here are the latest stories surrounding Anfield as the Reds look to build on last season’s success.
THIAGO DEAL GIVES GERRARD BUTTERFLIES
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says the signing of Thiago Alcantara gives him ‘butterflies’.
Alcantara was announced as a Liverpool player this afternoon in a deal worth £25m, and current Rangers boss Gerrard is excited to see what the former Barcelona and Bayern player will do in England.
“To be honest with you I’m more excited for the Thiago transfer [than the Gareth Bale to Tottenham move], that’s the one that’s giving me butterflies in my stomach,” he said.
Alcantara will wear the No. 6 shirt for Liverpool.
BLADES’ BOSS WILDER CONFIRMS TALKS FOR BREWSTER
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has confirmed that the club have held talks with Liverpool over a deal for 20-year-old Rhian Brewster.
Brewster impressed on loan at Swansea last season, and the young striker would like to remain at Anfield.
However how much playing time he would receive at Liverpool is up for debate, and the Premier League champions may consider loaning him out for a further season.
Wilder spoke about the situation in the aftermath of their Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley:
We have made enquiries about a few strikers and most on loan. Rhian is one we have talked about and spoken to Liverpool about. We need to bring another one in.
We have looked at the situation of losing Lys as well for a little while and we need to find that quality from within and to add as well would make us stronger and a more complete group.
LIVERPOOL ANNOUNCE THIAGO
Thiago Alcantara is officially a Liverpool player after completing his move from Bayern Munich.
Alcantara joins on a four-year deal, and The Reds will pay in the region of £25m for the midfielder.
FULL STORY: THIAGO JOINS REDS
Thiago Alcantara completes Liverpool move for £25m
The Spain midfielder will wear the No 6 jersey at Anfield
LIVERPOOL CONFIRM THIAGO SIGNING
Liverpool have confirmed the £25m signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
LIVERPOOL INTERESTED IN WOLVES STRIKER
Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Wolves striker Diogo Jota, according to The Times.
Journalist Paul Joyce speculates that The Reds have registered interest in signing the Portuguese forward.
It’s believed that Jurgen Klopp wants another striker in the squad due to the failure to sign Timo Werner in the summer.
LIVERPOOL AGREE FEE WITH WOLVES FOR YOUNGSTER
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a £10m fee with Wolverhampton Wanderers for defender Ki-Jana Hoever, states The Athletic and Daily Mail.
The 18-year-old looks set to join the Midlands side on a permanent basis, after finding opportunities hard to come by at Anfield.
Hoever was signed from Ajax two years ago.
THIAGO DEAL FINALISED ‘YESTERDAY'
Thiago Alcantara is a Liverpool player, and signed the deal last night, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It’s expected that the deal will be announced today, with the midfielder already posting a farewell video on his various social media platforms.
Italian journalist Romano now states that Alcantara actually signed his deal last night and is therefore already a Liverpool player.
KLOPP WOULD LIKE A STRIKER
Liverpool Jurgen Klopp feels his squad needs another striker, according to The Athletic.
Journalist Simon Hughes believes that Klopp would still like to buy a striker, due to the failure to sign Timo Werner, who eventually joined Chelsea.
You’ve got to look at it from Jurgen Klopp’s point of view, in that he was very keen to sign Timo Werner and obviously Liverpool had to pull back from that transfer. So, that area of the pitch is clearly an area that he’s identified that Liverpool need to increase their numbers [in] and improve on.
Given that he thought that last March and they haven’t been able to target that position yet, I still think that, from what I’ve been told, they are still looking in that area, but again, it does come down to money.
The original statement from The Athletic has always been that they have to sell players to buy – [but] I think they’ve had encouragements over a couple of other players in terms of outgoings over the last couple of days. So, I think that is the outstanding area.
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