Arsenal interested in Thiago Alcantara
|Arsenal are interested in signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich but do not want to pay the German club’s £23 million asking price for their star midfielder, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail.
The Gunners are looking to rebuild their midfield this summer and head coach Mikel Arteta is keen on adding creativity to his side. Arsenal have been linked with Philippe Coutinho and Houssem Aouar as they look to strengthen Arteta’s options in the middle of the park and the latest name to be suggested is Thiago.
The 29 year old midfielder is one of the best in the business in central midfield and was one of Bayern’s most important players prior to the lockdown. He suffered a groin injury that kept him out for a majority of their games after the resumption of German football but has regained his fitness and will play in the Champions League final later today.
Liverpool are the favourites for his signature but the English champions are also reluctant to pay £23 million to sign a player with only one year remaining on his contract. He commands a significant salary and Liverpool are fully aware of the fact that he will be able to discuss a free transfer with other clubs in six months time.
Bayern are keen on selling him this summer as he looks unlikely to renew his contract at the Allianz Arena and they would be loath to let him leave the club for free.
The Gunners would need the German champions to lower their asking price for the Spanish midfielder before pursuing his signature. They would also require midfielders like Mohamed Elneny, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira to leave the club so that they could raise funds for incoming players like Thiago.