If Thiago gets sold, ‘brilliant’ player becomes far more likely to join Liverpool

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Liverpool are much more likely to pursue a move for Romeo Lavia if they’re able to sell Thiago Alcantara this summer.

News has filtered out this afternoon that Thiago is being courted by clubs in Saudi Arabia as he enters the last year of his Liverpool contract. Picking up that story, The Telegraph claim that Saudi clubs have indeed enquired over the Reds midfielder.

Liverpool are said to have been ‘receptive’ to the idea of letting Thiago go. It’s claimed that with ‘no intention’ of offering the 32-year-old a contract extension, the Reds could look to get his £10m-per-season salary off the wage bill.

Should they manage that, it would reportedly increase the likelihood that Jurgen Klopp could try and sign Lavia. As things stand, Southampton’s £50m valuation of the 19-year-old is described as being ‘prohibitive.’

Consequently, it’s suggested that the Reds won’t look to make any more signings until they’re able to move some players on. Thiago would seemingly be the chief candidate for that.

And should the Spaniard leave the club, Lavia is reportedly ‘under consideration’ to replace him. The Belgium international is claimed to be the most likely next midfield arrival at Anfield.

Liverpool given Thiago dilemma

Up until now, the reports that Liverpool will have to sell to buy have been notable by their absence this summer.

More often than not, that has been the line peddled through transfer windows. But having kept their powder dry over recent years, it doesn’t seem to be the case this year.

Today’s report in The Telegraph is the first inkling that the Reds may be starting to tighten their belts.

We wouldn’t worry too much, though. Plenty of other outlets and journalists seem to believe that Liverpool are far from finished. They look likely to bring in at least one further midfielder and a defender.

For now, that midfielder would look more than likely to be Lavia.

To some supporters that will be the perfect way to top off the summer rebuild. The teenager has been described as ‘incredible’ by Pep Guardiola [The Times] and is certainly a burgeoning talent. For others, it will be a slightly underwhelming way to round off the Mac Allister/Szoboszlai excitement.

As for Thiago, you can see the appeal in getting him a move in the next couple of months. But, truly, it would be an awful shame if we never saw him in a Liverpool shirt again. If it’s a straight choice between these two, we take Thiago.