Fabrizio Romano has given the most recent information about a high-profile star leaving Liverpool in 2024.

According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero (via Barca Universal), Thiago Alcantara is on a three-man shortlist at Barcelona, whose transfer focus is on midfield replacements following Gavi’s season-ending injury.

The Reds maestro went through the ranks at Camp Nou before winning the Champions League with the club, as well as lifting the trophy at Bayern Munich shortly before moving to Anfield in 2020.

Romano addressed the likelihood of the 32-year-old returning to Catalonia in the coming months in his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.

“I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January,” the Italian said. Of course, we know that Barcelona is currently short in midfield following Gavi’s lengthy injury, but it’s too early to tell who would replace him or who they might target.

“I’m not aware of any concrete talks with Barcelona regarding Thiago.” As previously said, Barcelona’s objective is to sign Vitor Roque before making a decision on the midfielder position. For the time being, there are no revisions or specific advances regarding how to proceed with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth noting that Thiago turned down Saudi clubs in July because he wanted to stay at Liverpool.” As far as I know, nothing has changed in his condition since then.”

With Jurgen Klopp suggesting that Thiago is unlikely to return from his persistent injury troubles until January at the earliest, a mid-season departure from Liverpool appears unlikely.

However, the midfielder hasn’t played in seven months, so even if he’s fit enough to play again, he’ll likely need a few games to catch up.

The former Spain international’s return to the fold is likely to be gradual, with the former Spain international coming off the bench to provide a composed experienced head to see out results rather than being thrust straight back into the starting line-up after being sidelined for so long.

His big-name nous could still be crucial for Liverpool in the second half of the season, especially if it ends up being a charge for multiple trophies like in 2021/22, and it should not be forgotten that Thiago is an outstanding footballer who talkSPORT’s Jim White previously dubbed a ‘Rolls-Royce of a player’.

With his contract expiring in June of next year – by which time he’ll be 33 – there’s a growing sense that this will be the ex-Barcelona midfielder’s final season at Anfield. It remains to be seen whether he returns to Camp Nou in the future.