Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Thiago Alcantara completes move as Reds eye Diogo Jota, Ismaila Sarr and Nuno Mendes plus Premier League updates

The Reds will now focus on young talent after completing a deal for the former Bayern Munich star 

Emmet Gates
Friday 18 September 2020 12:00 EDT
Comments
New Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara
New Liverpool signing Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool FC)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Liverpool are finalising a move for Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich for just €30m in one of the biggest transfers of the summer window, though the Spain midfielder’s wages will add up to a sizeable investment for the Reds once his four-year deal on Merseyside expires. Now attention must turn to freshening up a group in its absolute prime - if not slightly on the way down. 

That means finding a good landing spot for Rhian Brewster on loan, as their talented young striker needs to develop, rather than sit and wait behind Jurgen Klopp’s deadly front three. Could a move to Sheffield United suit everybody involved? Then there’s Ismaila Sarr, a big-money deal with high upside and more in line with acquiring Sadio Mane before he exploded to become the superstar is now is. 

The Reds always remain active in the market and now, with Thiago, appear primed to plot their dominance for years to come. Here are the latest stories surrounding Anfield as the Reds look to build on last season’s success.

THIAGO DEAL GIVES GERRARD BUTTERFLIES

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard says the signing of Thiago Alcantara gives him ‘butterflies’.

Alcantara was announced as a Liverpool player this afternoon in a deal worth £25m, and current Rangers boss Gerrard is excited to see what the former Barcelona and Bayern player will do in England.

“To be honest with you I’m more excited for the Thiago transfer [than the Gareth Bale to Tottenham move], that’s the one that’s giving me butterflies in my stomach,” he said.

Alcantara will wear the No. 6 shirt for Liverpool.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 16:44

BLADES’ BOSS WILDER CONFIRMS TALKS FOR BREWSTER

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has confirmed that the club have held talks with Liverpool over a deal for 20-year-old Rhian Brewster.

Brewster impressed on loan at Swansea last season, and the young striker would like to remain at Anfield.

However how much playing time he would receive at Liverpool is up for debate, and the Premier League champions may consider loaning him out for a further season.

Wilder spoke about the situation in the aftermath of their Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley:

We have made enquiries about a few strikers and most on loan. Rhian is one we have talked about and spoken to Liverpool about. We need to bring another one in.

We have looked at the situation of losing Lys as well for a little while and we need to find that quality from within and to add as well would make us stronger and a more complete group.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 16:21

LIVERPOOL ANNOUNCE THIAGO

Thiago Alcantara is officially a Liverpool player after completing his move from Bayern Munich.

Alcantara joins on a four-year deal, and The Reds will pay in the region of £25m for the midfielder.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 16:02

FULL STORY: THIAGO JOINS REDS

Thiago Alcantara completes Liverpool move for £25m

The Spain midfielder will wear the No 6 jersey at Anfield

Jack Rathborn18 September 2020 16:00

THIAGO UNVEILED AS LIVERPOOL PLAYER

Jack Rathborn18 September 2020 15:59

LIVERPOOL CONFIRM THIAGO SIGNING

Liverpool have confirmed the £25m signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.

Jack Rathborn18 September 2020 15:57

LIVERPOOL INTERESTED IN WOLVES STRIKER

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Wolves striker Diogo Jota, according to The Times.

Journalist Paul Joyce speculates that The Reds have registered interest in signing the Portuguese forward.

It’s believed that Jurgen Klopp wants another striker in the squad due to the failure to sign Timo Werner in the summer.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 15:41

LIVERPOOL AGREE FEE WITH WOLVES FOR YOUNGSTER

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a £10m fee with Wolverhampton Wanderers for defender Ki-Jana Hoever, states The Athletic and Daily Mail.

The 18-year-old looks set to join the Midlands side on a permanent basis, after finding opportunities hard to come by at Anfield.

Hoever was signed from Ajax two years ago.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 15:36

THIAGO DEAL FINALISED ‘YESTERDAY'

Thiago Alcantara is a Liverpool player, and signed the deal last night, according to Fabrizio Romano.

It’s expected that the deal will be announced today, with the midfielder already posting a farewell video on his various social media platforms.

Italian journalist Romano now states that Alcantara actually signed his deal last night and is therefore already a Liverpool player.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 14:59

KLOPP WOULD LIKE A STRIKER

Liverpool Jurgen Klopp feels his squad needs another striker, according to The Athletic.

Journalist Simon Hughes believes that Klopp would still like to buy a striker, due to the failure to sign Timo Werner, who eventually joined Chelsea.

You’ve got to look at it from Jurgen Klopp’s point of view, in that he was very keen to sign Timo Werner and obviously Liverpool had to pull back from that transfer. So, that area of the pitch is clearly an area that he’s identified that Liverpool need to increase their numbers [in] and improve on. 

Given that he thought that last March and they haven’t been able to target that position yet, I still think that, from what I’ve been told, they are still looking in that area, but again, it does come down to money. 

The original statement from The Athletic has always been that they have to sell players to buy – [but] I think they’ve had encouragements over a couple of other players in terms of outgoings over the last couple of days. So, I think that is the outstanding area.

Emmet Gates18 September 2020 14:44

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in