Thiago Alcantara (Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp told Liverpool fans to stay tuned for the announcement
of Thiago Alcantara on Friday after the Spanish midfielder admitted
leaving Champions League winners Bayern Munich was the most difficult
decision of his career.
Thiago is due to undergo a medical on Friday before sealing a move
that will reportedly cost Liverpool an initial fee of £20 million, with a further £5 million to follow in add-ons.
The 29-year-old is believed to have agreed a four-year deal with Liverpool.
“It’s not official until it’s announced and I’m not the announcer so I
don’t know really what I can say now,” said Klopp at his pre-match
press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.
“It looks quite promising. My hands are tied pretty much. For all
Liverpool supporters it’s quite useful to have a look at a few LFC
channels over the day, I would say that would help.”
Thiago joined Bayern as Pep Guardiola’s first signing in 2013 but
with a year left on his contract he had stalled over signing an
extension.
He enjoyed a trophy-filled stay in Germany, winning seven Bundesliga
titles, four German Cups, the Club World Cup and the Champions League
last month in Lisbon.
In a message posted on Twitter, he said leaving Bayern had been a gut-wrenching decision.
“I have made the most difficult decision of my sports career,” Thiago wrote.
“I will close this chapter on this wonderful club where I have grown
as a player for seven years. Triumphs, joy and also hard times.
“But what I am most proud of is that I arrived in Munich as a young
man filled with dreams and now I will leave completely fulfilled with a
club, a history and a culture.”
Thiago said he had decided to seek a fresh challenge before his career ends.
“Here I learned to love a tradition that I am now saying goodbye to, but which I will never forget,” he said.
“I have experienced fantastic moments: in this city… with my Bavarian family who treated me so well and loved me every second.
“My decision is purely of a sporting nature. As a soccer player I want new challenges to develop myself further.”
Bayern boss Hansi Flick paid tribute to Thiago on Thursday.
“‘Kloppo is getting a top player and a great person,” Flick said.
