Pep Guardiola is determined to regain the Premier League summit next season.
On the back of a spectacular league campaign which handed them the title after 30 years, Liverpool are relatively relaxed in the transfer window as Jurgen Klopp is content with the existing group of players, which needs to be refreshed with a few arrivals this summer.
Thus far, the Reds have managed to sign left-back Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos, having attempted to lure Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis to compete with Andrew Robertson for a starting spot. A few more arrivals are expected, depending on the finances the club generates via player sales.
Contrastingly, Pep Guardiola is seeking a major overhaul in the current market. He wants to wrestle his way back to the pinnacle of the domestic league, with Liverpool toppling Manchester City for the title by a substantial margin of 18 points.
Wasting no time, the Sky Blues have already managed two recruitments in Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake with no signs of slowing down. Guardiola eyes a major surgery in defence with Kalidou Koulibaly envisaged as a statement signing to display their intent among the title rivals.
Welcome to Liverpool, Kostas Tsimikas! 🔴✍️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 10, 2020
Expecting major competition next season on the field, Pep Guardiola is eyeing to trump his nemesis, Jurgen Klopp, behind the scenes, too. The German manager is extremely keen on adding Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara to his squad.
Bayern Munich are willing to let go of their midfield wizard for a suitable price, considering Thiago’s desire to seek a challenge in the Premier League. However, Liverpool, despite their concrete interest, have been unable to make their move due to the 30 million price-tag set by the Bavaria giants.
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Klopp considers Thiago as the only player who could add something different to his Liverpool squad, and perhaps elevate the prevailing standards. Despite the willingness to all the involved parties to execute the transfer, revenue has been a sticking point from the Reds’ end.
Citing a partial deadlock, Pep Guardiola is keen to make his presence felt by trying to lure the Spain international to the Etihad, thereby reuniting with Thiago since his coaching days at Bayern. This could be a sensible move for the Cityzens as they will manage to replace the departing David Silva.
"The Merseyside club are willing to pay a maximum fee of around €30m and the figure is not far from the Bavarian club’s demand.City are now ‘interfering in poker’ and are ‘offering more’. It’s not clear if the Etihad club are ready to offer more to Bayern, the player or both. (SportBild via Sport Witness)"
Despite sensational claims, the Thiago saga is far from concluded with several parties willing to have their say, citing the price bracket in which the midfielder currently belongs in.