Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has urged Thiago Alcantara to spurn reported interest from Liverpool to stay with the Bundesliga club.
The Spain international has reportedly informed the Bavarians of his desire to leave the club as he enters the final year of his contract, with previous reports suggesting team-mates believe he wants to join the Reds, and continues to be linked with a move to Anfield.
While Jurgen Klopp is a know fan of the midfielder, the ECHO understands the 29-year-old is currently not an active Reds target though that has done nothing to stop speculation about his future and a potential move to Merseyside.
Bayern Munich host Chelsea in the second leg of their round-of-16 Champions League clash with Chelsea on Saturday, leading 3-0 from their previous meeting back in February, with Thiago's future unlikely to be resolved while the Bavarians remain in Europe's elite competition.
And quizzed about his team-mate's future when speaking to the press ahead of the game, Neuer praised the Spaniard when vocalising his desire for him to remain with Bayern.
"I hope that it won't be one of the last matches of Thiago," the German said. "He had to undergo surgery at the end of the season but now he's back and 100 per cent.
"He's a very valuable player for us, especially in ball possession. He's very important for us. He's our engine in midfield actually."
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