Report: No deal between Bayern and Manchester United for Thiago, despite reports suggesting so

Earlier this week, there were reports suggesting that Manchester United had entered the race to try and sign Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich. Some of the reports went as far as saying there had already been a deal reached between both clubs, but that’s not true.

Bild has reported that no deal for Thiago has been made with any club and that Bayern hasn’t even received any sort of offer from Manchester United. The only thing that may have taken place is United representatives reaching out to Thiago’s agent - nothing more than that at this point. Plus, United has just signed Donny van de Beek from Ajax for £40m, so that would conceivably leave them with less funds to pursue Thiago if they are, in fact, serious about signing him.

Thiago has been linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side for the better part of the past month and a half, but his price has always been the issue. Bayern does not want to accept anything less than €30m him, but Liverpool still has not agreed on that valuation of the midfielder. However, Georginio Wijnaldum is currently in the last year of his contract with Liverpool and they still have not agreed on a contract extension with him yet. This has prompted rumors suggesting that Ronald Koeman wants to bring him to Barcelona. The two know each other well from Koeman’s time as manager of the Dutch National Team. While these are still just rumors, if this were to happen, Liverpool could use funds from Wijnaldum’s potential sale to Barcelona to help meet Bayern’s €30m asking price for Thiago.

We’re still only just at the halfway mark for the transfer window, so a lot can still happen, but it seems inevitable that Thiago will leave Bayern. Klopp is keen on signing him, regardless of Wijnaldum’s status, so it will likely just come down to negotiating the fee(s).