Liverpool To Wait Until Final Week Of Transfer Window To Make Bid For $35M Target: Report

Liverpool FC reportedly will wait until the final week of the ongoing summer transfer window to make an official move for Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara.

Liverpool are favorites to sign Alcantara, who recently won the Champions League with Bayern Munich. The 29-year-old has one year left in his current term, but the Spaniard has refused to sign an extension in a bid to embrace a new challenge. In his seven seasons at Bayern Munich, he has won as many Bundesliga titles apart from various other trophies.

After Liverpool, Manchester United contacted Alcantara’s agent, but the Old Trafford side did not make any further move. Following the arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax, signing a midfielder is no longer a priority for The Red Devils.

It has also been reported that FC Barcelona want to re-sign Alcantara, who had represented the Catalans between 2008 and 2013. While new head coach Ronald Koeman is interested in signing his compatriot Gini Wijnaldum, the club wants to bring back Alcantara.

However, it is understood that Bayern Munich are confident to receive an official bid from Liverpool for Alcantara in the coming days. The Reds are hesitant about Alcantara’s $35 million fees, but the German side has maintained that the transfer fee is not negotiable.

Sports website talkSPORT has reported that Liverpool are planning to delay the move until the last minute of the transfer window to grab the best deal for Alcantara. Alex Crook, talkSPORT’s transfer specialist has insisted that if Gini Wijnaldum, who is linked with a move to Barcelona, does leave Anfield this season, only then Liverpool would accelerate Alcantara’s transfer.

"We’ve spoken a lot about this one, and it’s going to go right to the wire, I think. If [Gini] Wijnaldum goes I think Liverpool will accelerate their interest. Liverpool are still the front-runners, but they’re trying to force Bayern Munich to lower that €30m ($35m) asking price," said Crook.

However, it is believed that Wijnaldum’s recent meeting with Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp went well and now the Netherlands midfielder is expecting to soon receive a contract extension from The Reds.

Crook has also revealed that Liverpool are soon to sign 17-year-old goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense.

"I’m not expecting a bid [for Alcantara] to come in probably until the final week of the window. Liverpool are making one signing, 17-year-old goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense for £700k, but I’m not sure that’s going to excite their supporters too much at this stage," added talkSPORT's transfer guru.

Liverpool kickstarted their 2020-21 Premier League campaign with a 4-3 win over Leeds on Saturday.