Liverpool step up interest in Bayern Munich's Thiago

Liverpool are interested in signing the Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcântara but have told the Bundesliga club they are not prepared to pay £27.2m (€30m) for the 29-year-old Spaniard, who has one year left on his contract.

Bayern are reluctant to let the Spain international go and have not relented on their asking price. They are due to play Lyon in the semi-final of the Champions League on Wednesday and have put all transfer discussions on hold until their involvement in the tournament has ended.

Thiago is keen to join Liverpool, being an admirer of the team’s style of play under Jürgen Klopp. Thiago, whose father is the 1994 Brazilian World Cup winner Mazinho, joined Bayern Munich in 2013 from the Catalan club and has made 233 appearances for the Bundesliga champions. His younger brother, Rafinha, is still at Barcelona.

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