https://theathletic.com/2070370/2020/09/18/thiago-joins-liverpool-how-the-deal-happened/?source=user_shared_article
Summary:
"Thiago Alcantara was close to signing a lucrative new four-year contract with Bayern Munich in June, worth around £12 million per year (£230,000 per week), when his head was turned.
A source with experience of working with Thiago says: “He is a top guy and one of the most professional players in this world. As for Liverpool, it’s a dream come true for him. The dream for him for years has been the Premier League."
A four-year deal worth around £200,000 per week was already in place by Thursday. His favoured No 6 shirt was conveniently vacant following Dejan Lovren’s move to Zenit St Petersburg in July.
Klopp had secured the services of a man he regards as “a game-changer”. The manager had pushed hard for the deal to get done and ultimately FSG president Mike Gordon and Edwards delivered.
The breakdown of the fee is extraordinary given the calibre of the player Liverpool have signed. They will pay a guaranteed £20 million with the rest to potentially follow in add-ons related to team success and individual awards. However, The Athletic understands that £20 million will be spread over the course of Thiago’s contract, with an initial outlay of just £5 million. Put into context, Edwards sold striker Dominic Solanke to Bournemouth for £19 million last year.
Thiago had also been linked with Manchester United this summer but although they held discussions with his representatives there were no direct talks with Bayern.
He had been pursued by both Arsenal and Chelsea in recent years, too. Bayern put feelers out to those two clubs once again in the hope of creating a bidding war with Liverpool, but it never developed. Sources indicate that other potential suitors were quoted salary demands of £17 million a year (£327,000 per week). Barcelona did consider re-signing him, but swapping Arthur for Juventus’ Miralem Pjanic was deemed a more sensible financial decision."
