Klopp devastated as Thiago decides to leave Liverpool and three options emerge for La Liga return
Thiago Alcantara has decided to end his Liverpool career one year ahead of schedule and is holding out for one of three La Liga clubs to make him an offer, a report has claimed.
Liverpool have already said goodbye to James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from their midfield this summer. All three players were released when their contracts expired at the end of last season.
At the same time, Arthur Melo was sent back to Juventus after a forgettable loan spell. Since then, another player to vacate Liverpool’s midfield has been Fabio Carvalho, who has gone to RB Leipzig on loan.
The next two midfielders to leave Liverpool could be Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, who are in line to join Saudi sides Al Ettifaq and Al Ittihad respectively.
And another bombshell update has just dropped on Jurgen Klopp, with the Liverpool manager learning via Diario Sport that Thiago wants out too.
The Spain international is into the final year of his contract with Liverpool, who have never really seen the best version of him since his arrival from Bayern Munich in 2020 because of injury issues.
According to Sport, Klopp still rates Thiago highly. However, the 32-year-old seems ready to turn his back on his manager amid concerns about his role in the new-look Liverpool midfield.
Liverpool have already added Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to their squad and will likely target at least one more midfielder once Fabinho and Henderson have gone.
Concerned about a potential lack of playing time, Thiago has come to the realisation that it could be in his best interests to leave Liverpool.
Like Fabinho and Henderson, he has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia. His preference, instead of a move to the Middle East, would be to go back to La Liga.
Barcelona dream disintegrates but Thiago hopes for La Liga return
Thiago previously came through the academy ranks at Barcelona before becoming a first-team figure there. He had been hoping their release of Sergio Busquets might open up a return for him, but Barcelona have brought Oriol Romeu back instead from Girona.
Therefore, if Thiago is to embark upon a second spell in the Spanish top flight, he will have to wait to see if Real Sociedad, Celta de Vigo or Sevilla firm up their interest.