Liverpool midfielder on Barcelona radar after Laporta reveals transfer plans

Suraj Radia

• 12 Jul 2023 19:37 BST
• 2 min read

Barcelona have been alerted to the situation surrounding Thiago Alcantara and the Catalan outfit are reportedly considering bringing him back to his boyhood club if Liverpool allow the midfielder to leave this summer.

Thiago is entering the final year of his contract with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp’s side are thought to be willing to listen to offers for the 32-year-old, although they will not force him to leave if he does not want to.

The Spaniard joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020 for £20 million but has been limited to just 67 Premier League appearances due to a repeated number of injury issues.

DECISION: Liverpool facing call on Thiago this summer

Liverpool have signed Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer after prioritising their midfield, having seen James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave on free transfers.

As a result, Klopp is thought to be satisfied with his midfield options and could allow Thiago or fellow veteran Jordan Henderson to depart, although both players are keen to see out their contracts and have reportedly turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

However, Thiago, who joined Barcelona aged 14 before leaving for Bayern in 2013, could be tempted by a homecoming and Spanish outlet SPORT believe the player could be targeted by Xavi this summer.

Thiago could be one of two midfielders signed by Barcelona

Barca president Joan Laporta revealed to SPORT that the club would target a full-back and two midfielders after securing a deal to sign Brazilian wonderkid Vitor Roque next summer.

Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu, another academy graduate, is believed to be close to returning to Barca to replace Sergio Busquets, who reunited with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after his contract at the Camp Nou expired.

NO REGRETS: Messi 'happy' he rejected Barcelona for Inter Miami

While Barca have also signed Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City to bolster their midfield, SPORT claim that Thiago’s versatility to play any of the four midfield positions under Xavi could make him an ideal target.

Tottenham’s Gio Lo Celso is also another name reportedly being considered but Xavi’s relationship with Thiago, whom he featured alongside as a player for Barca, could sway the decision for both the club and the Liverpool man.