Rio Ferdinand has backed Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara this summer, with the Reds poised to complete a £27m move.
The Spanish midfielder is set on leaving the Bundesliga seven years after joining from Barcelona, looking for a new challenge despite having another year on his contract.
Bayern boss Hansi Flick admits he ‘completely understands’ Thiago’s ambitions to play Premier League football, but the English champions need to raise funds through sales before they can complete the deal.
The seven-time Bundesliga winner started the Bavarian’s Champions League second-leg clash with Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, with former Manchester United defender Ferdinand singing his praises before kick-off.
‘He would be a great signing, he is a conductor,’ Ferdinand said on BT Sport punditry duties.
‘He is somebody who controls the tempo of the game. He has got wing mirrors, he can see behind him, he can see all angles and every pass in the game.
He is an intelligent player and speaks the language which is an important part of it.
‘He would be a dream for Liverpool, he is the type of player they haven’t got.’
Thiago’s skills were honed at Barcelona’s ‘La Masia’ academy, developing a familiar playmaking style in midfield amid 100 appearances for the Catalans.
Ferdinand’s colleague Owen Hargreaves added: ‘He is on his day one of the top five midfielders in the world.
‘His quality when we were at Stamford Bridge – I was blown away by that performance. He has everything and as good as Liverpool are, I think he walks into their starting XI.
‘Everyone needs him. Man United could take him, Arsenal too. He is one of those players that if you played with him you’d be blown away by how gifted he is.’
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