Man United 'make contact' to join Liverpool in Thiago Alcantara transfer chase

Manchester United have reportedly contacted the Champions League-winning midfielder's representatives, with Liverpool yet to meet Bayern Munich's £27m asking price

Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Thiago Alcantara's representatives as they join Liverpool in the hunt for the Bayern Munich midfielder.

The Premier League champions have been widely considered the favourites to land Thiago after he informed Bayern he wanted to seek a new challenge elsewhere.

However, Liverpool have yet to meet Bayern's £27million asking price - although that may change if they cash in on Georginio Wijnaldum by agreeing to sell him to Barcelona.

Either way, United have now turned up the heat on Liverpool by opening talks with Thiago's people, according to Bild.

The German publication says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have not yet made a bid for Thiago, but have contacted the 29-year-old's advisers.

Thiago has entered the final year of his contract with newly-crowned European champions Bayern, and has told the Bundesliga giants he does not want to renew his contract.

It is believed he is keen on the idea of joining Klopp's Premier League kings - but Liverpool must sell players before a £27m move can be sanctioned.

If no bid from the Reds is forthcoming, a move to their fierce rivals United might equally appeal, given the huge improvements Solskjaer's side made to finish third in the Premier League last term and qualify for next season's Champions League.

He would be joining a hugely improved engine room featuring United's record capture Paul Pogba and star January signing Bruno Fernandes, as well as impending new recruit Donny van Beek.

However, Liverpool's stance on the Thiago negotiations might be about to change, with Wijnaldum having reportedly agreed terms over a move to Barcelona.

Spanish publication Diario Sport claims the midfielder has agreed a three-year deal, and the Catalan club is now negotiating with Liverpool over a transfer fee expected to be in the region of £13million to £18m.

Wijnaldum's contract at Anfield expires next summer, and talks over a new deal have seemingly come to a standstill.

And if the report from Spain proves to be true, Liverpool may well decide it's best to cash in on Wijnaldum rather than risk losing him for free next summer - especially if the move will help fund the capture of Thiago.

The race is on.