Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona)
Barcelona are hoping to persuade young midfielder Thiago Alcantara to be patient in his wait for first-team football at the Nou Camp, but at the moment he seems almost certain to join Manchester United. The young Spaniard is one of the most talented players to emerge from the club’s youth team in recent years, but has been unfortunate to be behind the world class trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas .
He will certainly be more valuable at Old Trafford, as manager David Moyes has been given the immediate task of replacing the retiring Paul Scholes. United are looking at a number of players to replace the influential playmaker, and Alcantara’s availability and price makes him the ideal candidate. Manchester City and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 22-year-old, but currently seem out of the running.
Alcantara to: Manchester United 8/10; Manchester City 2/10; Real Madrid 1/10