Derby County player-coach Wayne Rooney is well aware of Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, Rooney says Thiago almost joined Manchester United in 2013.

He wrote for the Sunday Times: He almost came to United in 2013 and now Liverpool are linked with him.

"He's one of the best midfielders around – I just hope he doesn't go there.

"He can take the ball, be composed on it, keep things ticking over – and he'll put his foot in.

"He's an all-round midfielder, really, with a bit of everything.

"He backs up that Bayern press and he drops in between the centre halves to take the ball yet can also join in when they're playing around the other box too.

"He's a great player. It would be great to see him in the Premier League, actually."