Bayern coach Hansi Flick to persuade Thiago Alcantara to stay, Latest Football News - The New Paper
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Bayern coach Hansi Flick to persuade Thiago Alcantara to stay

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick said he is determined to keep defender David Alaba and midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has been linked to a move to Liverpool.

"I will do everything I can to ensure that we can keep two such quality players," said Flick after the Bundesliga champions completed the double with a 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup final yesterday morning (Singapore time).

"I'm trying to keep the squad together as it is at the moment."

Both Alaba, who scored the opening goal in Berlin, and Alcantara, a second-half replacement in the final, have only a year left on their contracts.

Alcantara, 29, is of particular concern as the Spanish media has linked him to a move to Liverpool, but Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said no offer has yet been received.

"We have negotiated with him seriously and granted all his wishes, but it looks like he wants to do something new at the end of his career," Rummenigge told German daily Bild.

But Flick hopes to persuade Alcantara, who joined Bayern in 2013, to stay.

Bayern, who are chasing the Treble, are among the favourites for the Champions League, which will be completed in Lisbon next month. - AFP

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