Bayern Munich Transfer News: Latest Thiago Alcantara, Christian Pulisic Rumours

Bayern Munich have reportedly slapped a €60 million (£51 million) valuation on star midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

According to reports, cited by Calciomercato.com, some of European football’s biggest clubs are monitoring the Spain international, who has been sensational this term. Bayern are said to be keen to keep Thiago at the club and have opened discussions about extending his deal, which runs until 2019.

However, the piece noted that any side that wants to test Bayern's resolve will have to part with the aforementioned sum. Cadena Ser reported in March that Barcelona were considering a move for their former player (h/t Pete South of MailOnline).

If £51 million is the valuation of the midfielder, it's likely some of the flusher teams in European football would be tempted to make a move. Here is a look at why:

In 2016-17, Thiago has kicked on. Alongside Arturo Vidal and Xabi Alonso, he's helped Bayern boss many a midfield battle, pushing forward into the final third and unpicking defences with his brilliant passing.

Thiago can do different types of jobs too. The 26-year-old is comfortable in a deeper midfield berth, where he can construct Bayern's attacks. But this season, he's shown ability to make a big impact higher up the pitch, with four goals and five assists in the Bundesliga.

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The midfielder impressed Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Independent during Bayern's recent UEFA Champions League showdown with Real Madrid:

There aren't many midfielders in the world as effective as Thiago. Although Bayern are blessed with plenty of world-class operators, his energy and quality arguably make him the most important member of Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

Consequently, expect Bayern to get moving on a new deal for their midfield linchpin and potentially readjust the valuation mentioned to a much higher amount.

Bayern Linked with Christian Pulisic

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According to Steve Bates of the Sunday People, Bayern will rival Liverpool in the race to sign Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund this summer (h/t the Mirror).

Bates reported that while the 18-year-old did sign a new deal with Dortmund earlier this year, top clubs remain interested in the United States international. That means bidding will reportedly start at £30 million for one of the game's most prodigious young players.

As well as Bayern and the Reds, Tottenham Hotspur are also said to have taken an interest in Pulisic. Manchester United have also reportedly been scouting him. Here are some of the best moments from a brilliant season for the youngster:

Despite his tender years, Pulisic is already having a significant impact on matches in the Bundesliga and in the UEFA Champions League. 

Links to some of the biggest clubs in the world are not surprising as a result. Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez of Barcelona fan site Grup 14 expects the youngster to go on and accomplish big things:

As is the case with any rising star in the Bundesliga, it'd be a bigger surprise if Bayern weren't interested in signing him. However, at this stage of his career, moving to a club as grand as the Munich giants would be a massive risk.

Indeed, as talented as Pulisic may be, he's not yet ready to be starting regularly for a club like Bayern, who have so many options in the wide positions. For the foreseeable future, Westfalenstadion is the ideal place for him to continue developing.