Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara no longer a transfer option for Barcelona
According to Spanish outlet AS journalist Javi Miguel (h/t Liverpool Echo), Barcelona are no longer interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara this summer.
Barcelona boss and legend Xavi is not considering Thiago as an option in the midfield. The latter’s injury record is deemed to be one of the reasons behind this.
Thiago’s injury record even before he came to Liverpool was not convincing. Since arriving at Anfield, it has not gotten any better.
If we look at the numbers, the 32-year-old has missed 66 games in the three full seasons he has been at Liverpool. That means he is missing at an average of 20 games per year.
Those are not encouraging numbers for any club to sign him. The Spaniard has one year remaining in his contract at Anfield (Transfermarkt). We would be surprised if gets an extension here.
Thiago was a subject of interest from Saudi Arabia this summer but the midfielder rejected a lucrative offer. So, unless there is a sudden turn of events, he would be staying at Liverpool and seeing out his contract.
Now, while injury stats suggest that it would be best for the Reds to sell the 32-year-old rather than letting him go for free, the potential departures of Fabinho to Al-Ittihad and Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq may change circumstances.
If the latter two leave, Thiago remains the only experienced midfielder in the squad in terms of the football he has played at the highest level.
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So, if not for his regular playing time, Jurgen Klopp might want to keep hold of the Spaniard to garner experience and impart knowledge to the young and new players in the squad. The player knows multiple languages which is helpful as well.
