Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick has given Thiago Alcantara the green light to join Liverpool this summer.
The midfielder wants to leave the German champions and the Reds have been heavily linked with the 29-year-old, as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his title-winning side.
Bayern boss Flick appears to have accepted the Spain international is heading for the exit with Liverpool set to swoop if they are willing to meet the club's £27million asking price.
'I can understand when a player thinks about a move,' Flick told Sport1.
'Thiago played in Spain for Barcelona and in the Bundesliga for Bayern. If maybe he wants to play in the Premier League now, I totally understand.
'That's why I would like to have him as a coach on the team for the next few years, but that's life. It would go on.'
Flick had highlighted his desire to keep hold of the experienced player and said he was trying to convince him to stay.
But with Thiago making it clear he will not sign a new contract before his current deal expires in 2021, the Germans need to cash in this summer to avoid losing him on a free next season.
The midfielder has been with Bayern since 2013, winning a total of 15 trophies. He has the chance to complete the treble before leaving with the club still in this season's champions League.
Flick's side sealed their eighth successive Bundesliga title in June and also beat Bayer Leverkusen to win the German Cup in July.
Thiago came through the youth ranks at Barcelona, making his debut in 2009 at the age of 18, before going on to win eight trophies.
There is an acceptance at Bayern that the midfielder is at the stage of his career where he needs to move now if he wants to experience a new challenge.
The club's chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted last month: 'I think he's a great footballer and he has a good character too. And you shouldn't forget either that at 29, he is at an age where, if he wants to do something new, he has to do it now.'