Wayne Rooney’s title prediction tested after Liverpool agree Thiago transfer

A hugely controversial Wayne Rooney prediction will be put to the test if, as expected, Liverpool complete the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara in the coming days.

It was announced on Thursday morning that the Reds have agreed a £27m deal with Bayern to sign the Spanish midfielder, and he is expected to put pen to paper on a switch to Anfield imminently.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for Thiago, who has caught the eye over the past few seasons due to his superb performances in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

One man who is clearly a big fan of the player is Rooney, and in an interview with talkSPORT last month he claimed Thiago could be the difference between Liverpool retaining the Premier League or not.

And he even went as far as to say the Reds buying him would be a more important deal than Manchester City signing six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi from Barcelona, with whom they were being linked at the time.

“I think it is City or Liverpool [for the title],” Rooney said. ” Chelsea are making a lot of signings, some good signings. Man United have a lot of potential in the players they have got but I still think they are a year away.

“Chelsea with the new signings will possibly need a year to get everyone on the same songsheet.

“So I do think it is between City and Liverpool. And if Liverpool get Thiago from Bayern Munich, I think it is done [the title].

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“That is a better signing than Messi going to Man City.”

It is a big claim, and one which football fans will be following with keen interest if or when Thiago does eventually make his move to Merseyside.

He is not expected to arrive in time for Liverpool’s huge game against Chelsea this weekend, but he could make his debut in the Carabao Cup third round tie against Lincoln City next Thursday.