Liverpool are playing the long game in their pursuit of Thiago Alcantara.

TalkSPORT reports the Reds do want to sign the Spanish midfielder in this transfer window.

But they do not want to pay over the odds. And as a result, they are prepared to let the saga run until the final week of the transfer window.

The Reds believe Bayern Munich will be more willing to negotiate a lower fee when they realise no one else has come in for the player.

Thiago wants to go to Liverpool, and may even sign as a free agent next summer if the move does not materialize this time around.