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Manchester United set to lose Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich

By on July 11, 2013

Bayern Munich look to have beaten Manchester United to their No1 summer transfer target Thiago Alcantara as reports from Italy claim Alcantara will rejoin former manager Pep Guardiola in Germany. Bayern are currently training in Italy, and reports from the country they are hosting their pre-season training in claim that the Champions League winners have agreed a deal with Alcantara.

The 22-year-old wanted to leave Barcelona after receiving limited playing time at a key time in his career, and although he seemed certain to join David Moyes’ Manchester United , the Scot seems to have lost out on the midfielder. Although the reports say Alcantara has signed a four-year contract at Bayern, the move could prove a gamble for the playmaker’s goal of earning enough appearances to book himself a flight to Brazil as part of Spain’s 2014 World Cup squad. As Bayern’s midfield talent (which includes Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mario Gotze and Tomas Muller) is only rivaled by those of Barca and a few other elite clubs, a starting spot is not guaranteed for Alcantara, and he could be once again stuck on the bench.

Alcantara would like to think he will break into the Bayern squad in the coming season if the deal does come through, and Guardiola’s strong praises for the prodigy has certainly boosted his morale. Describing Spain’s former captain at the Under-21 level as “a super, super player,” the Barca legend said: “Thiago is the only player I want, that’s what I told [the Bayern board]. It is either Thiago or no one. I know him very, very well. He is a super, super player.”

The La Masia graduate has, along with making 68 appearances for Barca since making his debut in 2009, earned three caps for Spain after playing for La Roja at the Under-16, U-17, U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels. Also leading Spain to the European Under-21 Championships title in June, Alcantara scored a hat-trick in the final against Italy’s Under-21’s, making him the tournament’s second highest scorer as well as sealing himself the Best Player award for the competition.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.