Liverpool 'name asking price for Thiago Alcantara'

The former Bayern Munich man has often flaunted his qualities in the Reds' midfield under Jurgen Klopp, but injuries have also hampered his time on Merseyside.

Thiago was restricted to just 28 appearances in all tournaments - providing one assist - and a persistent hip problem plagued him during the second half of the campaign.

With Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai arriving to bolster Klopp's midfield ranks this summer, Thiago's opportunities for regular starts next term could be limited further, and an exit has been mooted either this year or when his deal expires next summer.

Liverpool are not believed to be trying to push Thiago out of the door, but the Reds will happily let the 32-year-old leave for nothing in 2024 and could apparently be open to a departure for the right price in the current window.

Barcelona are believed to be considering a reunion with their former academy graduate, who spent eight years on the Blaugrana books between 2005 and 2013 before making the move to Bayern.

Xavi's side could now be offered the chance to sign Thiago for a modest fee, as El Nacional claims that Liverpool have slapped a price tag of €12m (£10.3m) on the head of the Spain international.

Xavi - who shared a dressing room with Thiago as a player - is expected to have the final say over a move, but the Spaniard's style is seen as a perfect fit for the Catalonians' engine room.

However, should Barcelona be unable to pull off the signing of Thiago for any reason, the report adds that Tottenham Hotspur's Giovani Lo Celso is their number one alternative.

Liverpool paid €22m (£18.9m) to take Thiago off of Bayern's hands in 2020, and the 32-year-old eventually settled into life in the Premier League amid early concerns over his suitability for a midfield role at Anfield.

Thiago has contributed three goals and six assists from 97 games for the Reds, winning the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his second year on Merseyside.

However, the lynchpin has missed a further 66 matches through injury since touching down in the UK, although he has been included in Liverpool's squad for their ongoing Germany training camp.

Liverpool's midfield rejig has seen all of Leighton Clarkson, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain depart this summer, as well as the loan exit of Fabio Carvalho to RB Leipzig.

Jordan Henderson and Fabinho could also be cut from the ranks amid interest from Saudi Arabia, and the latter did not make the trip to Germany as Al-Ittihad discuss a £40m move.

Meanwhile, Henderson has flown out with the rest of his teammates, in spite of reports claiming that he has given the green light to a £700,000-a-week deal with Al-Ettifaq, who have not yet agreed a transfer fee with Liverpool.