Thiago Alcantara to Bayern Munich
It’s not everyday that a hot prospect from Barcelona’s youth academy becomes available, and when they do it’s advisable to make a move for them as quickly as possible, as Manchester United have found out this month.
Alcantara had been all set to join the Premier League champions following a successful summer with the Spanish under-21 national side, captaining them to victory and even scoring a hat trick in the final over Italy.
However, something went wrong, the deal went too slow and it allowed his former boss Pep Guardiola to declare an interest, which was, of course, reciprocated by the player.
Guardiola described the 22-year-old as “a super, super player [who] can play in three, four or five positions. It is either Thiago or nothing.” And who better to play for knowing they can get the best out of you than the very man who saw your development from hot prospect to first team cohort?
According to reports in Italy, where Bayern are holding a training camp, the Spaniard will sign a four-year deal with the European champions and the move could be wrapped up over the weekend leaving United and Moyes to kick their heels at missing out on a truly prodigious talent.