English champions Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Bayern midfielder Thiago Alcantara for at least £20m, plus £5m in add-ons, on a four-year contract.
Thiago, 29, joined the German giants from Barcelona in 2013 and helped them to win the Champions League this year beating Paris St-Germain.
The Spanish midfielder is set to wear the number six shirt at Anfield.
He would be the Reds’ second summer signing, after Greece left back Kostas Tsimikas.
Hansi #Flick on @Thiago6: "Thiago is an exceptional player who spent seven hugely successful years here. He's a wonderful person and an outstanding professional. It was very emotional today when he said goodbye to us all." #FCBayern #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/QBU0O0UPmf
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) September 17, 2020
The £20m will be paid over the length of Thiago’s contract and the extra £5m will depend on the Reds winning the Premier League and Champions League success.
When asked about a potential move for the Spaniard last week, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “I cannot end speculation as long as the transfer window is open.
“It is nice that we are linked with him but that is pretty much it really. It is because he is a good player and Liverpool is a big club, so that is nice.”
Bayern boss Hansi Flick said at a news conference on Thursday: “Thiago is an exceptional player who had huge success here for seven years. He’s a great person and an exceptional professional.
“It was very emotional today when he said goodbye.”
Thiago started his career at Barcelona and joined Bayern in 2013 when Pep Guardiola, his manager joined them.
Along with the champions league he has won seven consecutive Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and the Club World Cup with Bayern.