Thiago Alcantara chose Bayern over United in the summer and now they want to snap up Koke as well.
Manchester United sought in the summer to add a midfielder to their ailing ranks – to help cover in the event of Paul Scholes’ retirement. One player who was certainly on the radar, although David Moyes would have you believe differently, was Thiago Alcantara.
Barcelona did not play him the requisite amount of minutes in order to avoid a contract clause. The clause allowed him to leave the club for a fee in the region of €20 million.
But Manchester United’s hunt for a talented creative midfielder soon fell off the tracks – as Bayern Munich swept in.
The best team in the world right now, without a shadow of the doubt, swooped in to sign the player and with his former boss Pep Guardiola taking over at the club – he was always set to arrive in Bavaria.
So in the end Manchester United missed out on the player – before failed attempts to sign Ander Herrera and Cesc Fabregas soon saw their drawn out attempts for a creative midfielder fall short of the transfer deadline.
Now, in January they will be looking to add a different midfielder to their ranks – and this morning the papers suggested a name that seems very popular in the rumour mill.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke has been in sensational form this season – helping to lead the club to the very highest echelons of Spanish and European football this season.
United have reportedly sent scouts to see the player – with David Moyes even believed to have ventured out himself to see the player in action in the Champions League.
But guess what, their £30 million pursuit of this player might be about to be spoiled once again – with Bayern again the party-poopers.
According to reports in Germany the Bundesliga champions are set to offer Atletico the Swiss international winger Xerdan Shaqiri as part of any potential deal for the player – and Koke will add to the clubs already illustrious midfield options.
And when Bayern get involved, it is likely you will lose at this present time.
image: © castroquini2011
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