Liverpool player would be welcomed back to his former club this summer, he’s on their shortlist

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Barcelona are interested in bringing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara back to Camp Nou this summer.

That’s according to Spanish outlet Diario AS, who claim that the Reds star is on a five-man shortlist for Barca. As well Thiago, the Catalans are reportedly looking into moves for Dani Olmo, Xavi Simons, Arnau Martinez and Sergio Gomez.

In Thiago’s case, it’s claimed that manager Xavi would ‘welcome’ his ‘seniority’ as a potential alternative to Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan.

Thiago future still unclear

If the club in question here weren’t Barcelona, then perhaps there could be some logic to this. Thiago is entering the final year of his contract at Liverpool and doesn’t look likely to sign a new one. Should the Reds be looking for a return on the £20m they paid for him three years ago, it’s their last chance to get one.

With Liverpool also looking to upgrade their midfield ahead of next season, it could be logical for Thiago to move on. As a result, a sale is – unfortunately – not entirely out of the question.

But Barcelona are broke. Everybody knows it. They don’t even have enough in the bank to register one of their most important young players – Gavi. How on earth could they afford a transfer fee for Thiago, as well as his wages? It just isn’t going to happen.

You could maybe see the Spain international heading back to Catalonia once his contract ends at Anfield in 2024. By then he’ll be thirty-three and perhaps more open to a reduced contract. But if he moves on before then, it won’t be to the club where he started his career.

From our point of view, we hope he doesn’t move on at all. Although injuries have somewhat ruined his time at Liverpool, he’s still a hugely important player to Jurgen Klopp. With more help around him next season he could go up another gear still.

It would be lovely to see him sign an extension and transition further into an elder statesman role at Anfield. But we just can’t see that happening. Still, he isn’t going to Barca either.

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