Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that Thiago Alcantara wants to leave the club.
The 29-year old midfielder has a year remaining on his contract at the Allianz Arena, and is a reported target for Premier League champions Liverpool.
In an interview with Sky Sports Germany, Rummenigge admitted that Thiago is now seeking challenges away from the Bundesliga.
"Actually, the conversations [Bayern sporting director] Hasan [Salihamidzic] had with him were always very productive," Rummenigge said.
"And at some point it actually seemed that it was clear now [that he would stay].
"But then Thiago informed Hasan that he would like to do something new again, and so it is.
"You will have to accept that. We have a contract that is still valid for one year and if it should be clear with any club and that club should pay a transfer fee of a certain size."
Rummenigge was asked if the €35million valuation widely quoted in the media was accurate, but said he will not comment.
The Bayern chairman was then asked if he was angry at how the Thiago situation had unfolded, "No, I'm not angry at all, I like him," he replied.
"I think he is a great footballer, a fine footballer and he is also a good character.
"And one shouldn't forget either: At 29, he is at an age where, if he wants to do something new, he has to do it now because if you have the three in front, it will be more difficult to make transfers."
Rummenigge reserved the strongest praise for David Alaba, reportedly a target of Manchester City's.
The Bayern and Germany legend was impressed at how Alaba adapted to life in the heart of Bayern's defence.
"I am nevertheless optimistic that at the end of the day we will find a solution that David will even end his career here," Rummenigge said.
"I have always said that for me David is actually something like the black Franz Beckenbauer.
"He is the first player to play again at this level like Franz back then, with whom I was still allowed to play on the pitch that takes this septre in my hand.
"He also.... has the chance - especially in times of Black Lives Matter - to take on a special role again due to his skin colour.
"I think David knows what he has at Bayern and we know what we have in David."
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