Arsenal make enquiry over Bayern Munich star

Arsenal are among the clubs to have checked on experienced Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, but need German side to lower £23m asking price for 29-year-old midfielder

The German club want to sell the player this summer as he has one year left on his contract and is reluctant to sign a new deal.

Liverpool also hold an interest but are reluctant to pay Bayern’s asking price of around £23million on top of high wages as he is 29 and will be free to discuss a Bosman from January.

The midfielder has been out of action for most of the season post-lockdown, as he recovers from a groin injury.

He was an instrumental figure in the Bayern side before the pandemic but with the likes of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich adapting to the central midfield role, Bayern are aware it may be best for him to leave.

Arsenal would also need the figures to be lower and for the likes of Lucas Torreira and Mohamed Elneny to leave.

The Gunners recently recruited a new midfielder in 17-year-old wonderkid Salah-Eddine from Feyernoord.

He was a free agent after leaving the Dutch Eredevisie giants this summer and has joined the Gunners’ Professional Development Phase for the coming season.

Last week, the club completed deals for young talents Tim Akinola and George Lewis from Huddersfield Town and Norwegian side Fram Larvik respectively. Arteta’s Arsenal have also tied up deals for first-team contenders Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Willian this summer.