Thiago Alcantara finds himself at a career crossroads this summer. The 29-year-old has 10 months remaining on his Bayern Munich contract and is open to a new challenge elsewhere.
Bayern themselves are willing to sell. They would rather recoup a fee for the player as opposed to losing him on a free transfer next year. Reports continue to circulate that the Bavarians will demand a fee of around €30 million for the talented midfielder.
What Next for Thiago Alcantara?
Why the Player Has Declined a New Contract
Sky Sports News is reporting that contract talks between the player and his club were progressing well at one stage. However, Thiago has surprised Bayern executives by asking for more time to consider his options.
A short while later, the Spaniard informed the club that he wanted a new challenge. This is understandable in the sense that the player arrived in Munich in 2013 and has won the Bundesliga title on seven consecutive occasions, adding to his four La Liga triumphs with Barcelona.
Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will, therefore, aim to move the player on in this window, avoiding the loss of one of the world’s best players for nothing in a year’s time.
Where Could He Go?
Speculation is rife that Liverpool are looking to sign the Spain midfielder this summer. Reds midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed that he has received no new contract offer from the club, despite entering the final 12 months of his existing deal.
Perhaps Klopp views Thiago as an upgrade on the Dutchman and is seeking to replace Wijnaldum with the Bayern playmaker. Even so, a €30 million deal for Thiago this summer would make little financial sense if the same transaction could be carried out for free next summer.
Having already swept up trophy after trophy in Spain and Germany, Thiago has been linked with his former manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. With David Silva departing, such speculation is understandable. However, the emergence of Phil Foden means the Cityzens are not looking for midfield additions this summer.
Despite regular domestic success, the 29-year-old has surprisingly never played a key role in a Champions League victory. He did win the competition in 2011 with Barcelona, but was very much on the fringes of that side almost a decade ago.
Any ‘new challenge’ for the player would, therefore, require a new league and a club which is competitive in Europe. At this stage in his career, this leaves the likes of Juventus in Italy and Paris Saint-Germain in France as the only remaining options that fit the player’s idea of his next chapter.
It remains to be seen whether any such moves could be realistic, meaning the possibility of a year-long loveless marriage between Thiago and Bayern Munich until a free transfer in 2021 cannot be discounted.
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