Barcelona are reportedly considering a move for ex-player Thiago Alcantara this summer, but new boss Ronald Koeman prefers a pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum.
Bayern Munich playmaker Thiago, who is currently on international duty with Spain, has just a year left on his contract and has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool and Manchester United interested.
But Barca, where Thiago came through the famed youth system at before leaving in 2013, are also keeping an eye on the Spaniard's situation yet new boss Koeman is more keen on Wijnaldum due to their time together with the Holland national team, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
The report details that with Wijnaldum's contract also set to expire next summer, Barca think they can nab the Dutchman at an affordable price, around the £22m (€25m) mark.
Koeman is particularly keen on strengthening his midfield, given the departure last week of Ivan Rakitic to Sevilla and the likely hole left by Arturo Vidal leaving the club in the coming weeks.
Club sources say that Thiago is a player the coaching staff like, but believe the situation is complicated, particularly given Liverpool's longstanding interest in the 29-year-old.
Both players are options for the Catalans though, with Koeman planning a first-team overhaul this summer following the European humiliation against Bayern last month.
Wijnaldum worked under head coach Koeman with the Holland national team from 2018-2020.
Barca also lost their LaLiga crown and although Lionel Messi has performed a U-turn on his future and decided to stay at the club, Luis Suarez is another senior player on his way out - seemingly to Juventus.
Meanwhile, Thiago - who is currently on international duty - refused to comment on speculation linking him with a move away.
'I have not told anyone that I'm leaving,' Thiago said on Saturday ahead of Spain's game against Ukraine on Sunday.
'Every year, they put me in a different club. For me my future is tomorrow's game (against Ukraine) and there is nothing more to say.
'I neither care nor am I interested. What interests me is tomorrow'
Mosanya
661
Thiago is far better than Wijnaldum in every aspect, he was a La Masia graduate before he joined Barca first time, up till now I still don't have an idea on why Barca sold him in the first place. - Thiago is experienced, he is the same age with Wijnaldum, Koeman should rather pick a player who knows our style of play and has even dreamed of returning to Barca one day than a player who even denied it and showed no interest. - Barca is not a Dutch team, yes we had Cruyff, Kluivert, Van Bommel, Van Bronckhorst who played for Barca, but that is not even the point, the point is signing a player who is regarded one of the best midfielder (Thiago) and fits our style than Wijnaldum who doesn't fit it at all.
Gunners4ever❤
410
Thiago's age: 29 Wijnaldum's age: 29 (will be 30 later this year, so he's a year older than Thiago) Thiago is a better player than Wijnaldum. Who does Koeman prefer? Wijnaldum😒 Either Koeman is too biased towards Dutch players or he feels Wijnaldum suits his system better than Thiago does. If it's the former than shame on him, but if it's the latter then fair enough🤷♂️ I still do think Koeman should take Thiago over Wijnaldum tho. Thiago is one of the best players to graduate from La Masia in recent years and already knows the Barça DNA. Missing out on Thiago especially when he's available at a cut price of just £30m would be a mistake imo.. Thiago is one of the best midfielders in the world, Wijnaldum is great too but Thiago is just better.
Mosanya
107
Firstly, It is sad some people are even comparing Thiago to Wijnaldum. - Secondly, Thiago is the best center midfielder in the world, he literally bossed our entire midfield in the 8-2 bashing and they want to go with Wjinaldum. - Thirdly, Thiago is also cheap and is also the same age as Wijnaldum, Barca should be in pole position on signing him. Someone needs to get Koeman to watch Thiago Alcantara play.
SH3012
69
Something is really wrong with Koeman,Look at Thiago Statistics Vs Wijnaldum Statistics,Koeman is just making things worse🙂
pat192
12
Thiago is far better than Wijnaldum in every aspect, he was a La Masia graduate before he joined Barca first time, up till now I still don't have an idea on why Barca sold him in the first place. - Thiago is experienced, he is the same age with Wijnaldum, Koeman should rather pick a player who knows our style of play and has even dreamed of returning to Barca one day than a player who even denied it and showed no interest. - Barca is not a Dutch team, yes we had Cruyff, Kluivert, Van Bommel, Van Bronckhorst who played for Barca, but that is not even the point, the point is signing a player who is regarded one of the best midfielder (Thiago) and fits our style than Wijnaldum who doesn't fit it at all.
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It's funny people keep saying stuffs like "he has Barca DNA" and "he knows their style of play". Please wakeup from dreamland tiki taka is gone, Barca don't play that anymore, probably Koeman is not planning to reinstate tiki taka. Rakitic is gone and Vidal is set to leave, these two are the reliable ball winning box to box players at Barcelona. While Thiago can play as a DM and no 10, he certainly is not a box to box player. Wijnaldum is good and strong box to box player and ball winner that's what Barca needs. Pjanic, De jong and Busquet can play as a DM, while Messi, Coutinho can play no 10 position. What Barca needs is a reliable, strong and tireless box to box midfielder not a no 10 or a DM.
Nutbdop
9
You need to go see a doctor😂😂😂😂
I'm giving facts. They're judging the two players based on their style of play. Wijnaldum was an academy graduate who passed through the ranks before becoming captain for PSV. He won the league for PSV by scoring 18goals and providing 11 assist. He scored 12 goals and provided 9 assist for Newcastle in a single season. He changed his style of play because of the role Klopp gave him. It's only passing and dribbling that Thiago is ahead of him. Sometimes football fans only judge players because of their flair