Liverpool plans to bring in 19-year-old “big player” to replace Thiago.

Thiago Alcantara is expected to leave Liverpool this summer on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old midfielder has missed almost all of this season; aside from a little cameo against Arsenal in February, he hasn’t been seen at all.

The Spain international returned to the first team picture earlier this year after a lengthy absence due to a recurring hip problem.

But after that loss at Emirates Stadium against the Gunners, he appeared to have played his final game for the team after sustaining a fresh muscle injury.

The playmaker, who received a huge four-year contract upon leaving Bayern Munich back in 2020, has been linked to Flamengo and Al-Ettifaq. This made him one of the club’s top earners at the time.

There have been rumours that Liverpool’s new management may try to sign a new midfield player this summer as a result of Thiago’s departure.

The revamped midfield of Liverpool

Under the direction of the now-deceased sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, they completely redesigned that area last year. Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch joined the team, while Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner left.

This season, there have been connections with Porto’s Argentine midfielder Alan Varela. According to rumours from Varela’s native country, the Reds have put in a proposal of €60 million for the former Boca Junior standout.

Leading Liverpool reporter Neil Jones, though, has shot down those rumours, saying the Reds have different plans for the midfield this summer.

Due to a persistent calf issue, Stefan Bajcetic has missed nearly the entire season. However, he is making a strong recovery and has recently started playing in Premier League 2.

The 19-year-old is expected to be a mainstay in the first squad going forward and might be prepared to advance to the midfield position full-time the following season.

BAJCETIC’S IMPACT ON TRANSFER PLANS WILL BE “SIGNIFICANT”

With a contract expiring in 2027, Bajcetic, a Spain under-21 international, will be eager to make up lost time. Under Jurgen Klopp, he has already made 21 appearances for the first squad.

Jones told Caught Offside, “I’m not aware of anything concrete in links between Liverpool and the Porto midfielder Alan Varela.”

Even if the Reds will lose Thiago Alcantara to a free transfer in the summer, I think they have a decent amount of players in that position right now.

With Wataru Endo excluded, Liverpool’s midfield core is primarily composed of players under the age of 25. In their first season, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have adapted well, while Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones have grown into dependable first-team players.”

Stefan Bajcetic, who just made his comeback to the pitch, is also an important player to consider while debating Liverpool’s midfield strategies. Even though he is only 19 years old, he has already made an impact on the starting lineup and possesses the talents and adaptability to play either as a No. 6 or a No. 8, depending on what the team requires.

“He is seen as a big player for Liverpool’s future internally, and I anticipate that he will play a big part going forward, which will have a big impact on the club’s midfield transfer plans.”