Transfer Centre

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara 'wanted by Flamengo, Al Ettifaq'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 17 January 2024

Liverpool's Thiago 'wanted by Flamengo, Al Ettifaq'

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is reportedly attracting the attention of Flamengo and Al Ettifaq.

Flamengo and Al Ettifaq are allegedly interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Having made 97 appearances across his first three seasons at Anfield, Thiago is a valued member of the squad by Jurgen Klopp.

However, a hip injury has prevented the Spain international from making a single outing during the 2023-24 campaign.

The latest update is that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man may be ready to return to training with the Premier League leaders at some point next month.

Nevertheless, an immediate return to first-team action is not expected, particularly in Premier League and EFL Cup matches as Liverpool pursue silverware.

Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara in action with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva on October 13, 2022 © Reuters

With less than six months remaining on his contract, Liverpool are faced with a decision of accepting that they may lose the 31-year-old on a free transfer if they do not oversee a sale in January.

As it stands, no decision has been made, yet Thiago is already in a position where he is free to hold discussions with foreign clubs.

A report by TEAMtalk says that reports in Brazil are suggesting that Flamengo are monitoring the situation ahead of potentially making an approach.

Thiago spent the very early days of his youth career and a later four-year stint with Flamengo before making the switch to Barcelona in 2005, when he was just 14 years of age.

Al Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard on November 4, 2023 © Reuters

While there is a natural affinity with the Brazilian giants, the same report indicates that Al Ettifaq may also present an offer to Thiago over the coming weeks.

The Saudi Pro League outfit - managed by Steven Gerrard - have allegedly given the green light for Jordan Henderson to cut short his time in the Middle East to move to Ajax.

That effectively frees up space for the mid-table side to acquire a like-for-like replacement and Thiago has seemingly emerged as a potential option.

Former Liverpool teammate Georginio Wijnaldum is already at Al Ettifaq and would likely partner Thiago in the engine room should a transfer materialise.