Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has paid tribute to Thiago Alcantara as he closes in on a move to Liverpool.
The Reds have agreed a deal worth an initial £20million with Bayern after opening talks with the German champions on Monday.
An additional £5m in add-ons will see Bayern get close to the £27m they were after for the Spain international after he made it clear he wanted a fresh challenge earlier this year.
Flick has transformed the fortunes of Bayern after taking over from Nico Kovac in November, guiding them a treble that including the Champions League in Lisbon last month.
And after Thiago finally said goodbye to his team-mates ahead of his Merseyside medical, the Bayern boss congratulated the outgoing star on his next move.
"Thiago is an extraordinary player and was very important for us," Flick said at a press conference on Thursday.
"My coaching team and I enjoyed working with him. It was very emotional as we said goodbye.
"I can only congratulate Liverpool as they got a great player and especially a great person.
"Thiago gave the team a lot of options and made us unpredictable, he solved things in ways you don't expect.
"Now we're losing yet another great player."
It is understood Thiago will sign a four-year contract and wear the No.6 shirt vacated by Dejan Lovren at Anfield this season.
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