Now is the perfect time for Manchester United to sign the Barcelona midfielder, both clubs just need to be brave enough to do a deal.
This time last summer, Thiago Alcantara was adding to his growing reputation by leading Spain to the European under-21 championships, scoring a superb goal in the final against Switzerland.
He went onto impress for Barcelona in pre-season, even featuring against Manchester United, and scoring too.
2011/12 was set to be the season he made the big step up for the Catalan giants, but steady progression rather than rapid breakthrough has been the name of the game, and he failed to make Spain’s Euro 2012 squad – which is no shame considering the incredibly high standard of competition for places.
But it is exactly that competition for places which could yet hold him back at Barcelona. He made 20 league starts last season, a good number, marginally less than Xavi, Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, missing the most important ones.
Fabregas’ arrival has been an extra obstacle in his path to first team football, and Thiago did not start the Copa del Rey final, nor any of the six Champions League knockout games Barcelona played.
While clearly Thiago will have to bide his patience to earn his way into the side ahead of Xavi and Iniesta, and is only 21, the pair along with Fabregas still have several years left in them yet.
Barcelona are at a point of transition, with new coach Tito Villenova’s plans for next season unclear, and if there is any uncertainty in the player’s mind, Manchester United should attempt to pounce on it.
Thiago has made steady progress last season, but he may just find if he stays he hits a glass ceiling, unable to dislodge the senior members of Barcelona’s side when it comes to the big games.
United have been linked with a move in the papers, and the son of Brazilian World Cup 1994 winner Mazinho would cost in excess of £20 million. From what we’ve seen he would be well worth it.
The Red Devils have a considerable gap in their midfield, and are in need of new recruits, and the player might just be one capable of filling it. Barcelona would likely not let him go without a complex buy-back clause, but it may just be worth United agreeing to and seeing if they can wriggle out of it when the circumstances arrive.
If United do not make their move now, Thiago Alcantara may just go onto establish himself in Barcelona’s midfield next season and gain more of a foothold in the side, then their chances of getting him would be near impossible as chances of persuading him to leave would be even slimmer.
If United are serious about him, they should move now, this summer, and try to convince Barcelona to sell – who could use the cash to sign other targets- because otherwise they will miss the boat on this talented player.
Do you agree? Do United have a chance of signing Thiago?
image: © tchacky
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