Liverpool braced for Barcelona transfer with Thiago on ‘five-man list’

Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara is reportedly among Barcelona’s top five summer transfer targets. The 31-year-old finds himself on the Catalonian’s list alongside Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons, Arnau Martinez and Sergio Gomez.

This is according to Spanish newspaper Diario AS who claim that the ex-Barca player is favoured for his ability to quickly adapt to the side’s style of play having spent eight years at the club before moving to Bayern Munich.

Since joining Liverpool at the start of the 2020-2021 season Thiago has been a crucial part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield but has also had a torrid time with injuries. The Spain international has missed 61 games in total, including 17 this season alone.

He recently returned to training after nearly two months on the sidelines due to complications with his hip flexor and is expected to be available for selection against Arsenal on Saturday. There have been no indications that Liverpool are willing to sell Thiago but with his contract up next year, the Reds may be persuaded to cash in to help fund an approach for Jude Bellingham.

RB Leipzig’s attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, like Thiago, came through Barcelona’s academy but was unable to break into the first team. Born in the city, Olmo joined Barcelona’s youth team at nine years old and played for them until 16 when he was picked up by Croatian powerhouses Dinamo Zagreb.

Olmo went on to win the Prva HNL Player of the Year award in 2018 before being snapped up by Leipzig in January 2020, where he has been a regular ever since. The 24-year-old would provide Barca boss Xavi with much-needed depth in the final third.

Another former Barcelona academy graduate Xavi Simons played for the club between 2010 and 2019, establishing himself as one of the most exciting youngsters in world football. A move to PSG didn’t quite work out as he struggled for first-team minutes despite his clear potential but is now tearing it up in Eredivisie with PSV where he has racked up 13 goals and six assists from 23 league appearances.

Simons was originally supposed to join the Dutch club on loan but instead made a permanent move when PSV’s stance changed. Although Barcelona will be keen to make an approach it is important to note that PSG have a buy-black clause in place until the summer of 2023.

Manchester City left-back Gomez has only been at the club for one season but has already seemingly fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola. Gomez joined City for £11million in the summer from Anderlecht after the Sky Blues failed to capture Marc Cucurella but has only made six league appearances this season and could be on the look out for regular football elsewhere.

Finally, there is 19-year-old Martinez who despite his age has established himself as a key member of La Liga side Girona’s first team. The Spanish youngster is highly-rated and versatile with him being able to play efficiently as both a centre-back and right-back.