Liverpool could lose THIRD midfielder in a week

Stuart Telford

• 13 Jul 2023 15:31 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool already face losing midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League, and now Barcelona are reportedly ready to make a move for Thiago Alcantara.

Henderson has agreed terms with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, according to Fabrizio Romano, with Liverpool demanding a £10 million fee for his transfer, while Al-Nassr are set to bid four times that amount for Fabinho.

With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already arriving at Anfield this summer, from Brighton and RB Leipzig respectively, Liverpool are well-manned in midfield, but their squad depth will take another hit if Thiago also leaves.

READ: Liverpool star in SHOCK £40m deal to join Henderson in Saudi Pro League

The Barcelona academy graduate only has a year left on his Liverpool contract, and former teammate Xavi would like to capitalise.

Thiago could plug more than one gap

"Thiago is considered interesting because of his versatility in midfield," report Sport. "The Spain international can play in any of the four positions in the midfield diamond that Xavi likes so much for his midfield."

Thiago might find himself as a deep-lying playmaker should he move back to Camp Nou now that Sergio Busquets has left on a free transfer to Inter Miami, but he could provide ample cover, and indeed competition, for Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong further forward.

READ: SELL or KEEP? Liverpool's big Thiago decision

Whether Barca can afford to buy Thiago this summer is another matter. The 32-year-old is still valued at €19.5 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and the Blaugrana have already committed €40m to signing Brazilian prodigy Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense in January.

The club have otherwise been told to reduce their debt by €200m if they want to take part in La Liga this season, and all of their summer arrivals so far - Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City and Inigo Martinez from Athletic Bilbao - have been free transfers.