Barcelona are allegedly interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara this summer.
Due to financial constraints at the Catalan giants, they must take a forensic approach when it comes to acquiring new faces for Xavi’s first-team squad.
Inigo Martinez and Ilkay Gundogan joined Camp Nou on free transfers from Athletic Bilbao and Manchester City, respectively.
Nonetheless, it is known that the La Liga winners are looking for a second new midfielder, preferably at a low cost.
Girona midfielder Oriol Romeu, a former Barcelona academy graduate, has recently been heavily linked with a return to the club due to his low release clause.
Xavi is believed to have already held talks with the ex-Southampton man, and it appeared that a move would take place later in the summer.
Barcelona to make a move for Thiago
Thiago, on the other hand, has emerged as a viable option to Romeu in recent days, according to Sport.
The 32-year-old has made 97 appearances for Liverpool in three years, but he missed the majority of the second part of last season due to injury.
During that time, Liverpool produced their best performance of the season, and Jurgen Klopp has already moved to add Alexis MacAllister to his central midfield squad.
At a time when Jordan Henderson appears set to go for Saudi Arabia, the Merseyside giants could retain Thiago in order to maintain some consistency.
Nonetheless, with less than a year left on his contract and little chance of a renewal, a quick escape for the right price remains a distinct possibility.
Xavi is reportedly drawn to Thiago’s versatility in the centre of the pitch, and his signing would round out Barcelona’s alternatives in that area.
While Galatasaray are also interested in the Spain international, it is unknown whether the presence of Barcelona will eventually lead to a return to Catalonia, where he made 101 appearances before joining Bayern Munich in 2013.
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