Man Utd Transfer News: Thiago Alcantara To Snub United And Head For Bayern Munich?

Daily Mail. It was thought United were close to signing the 22-year-old after the player decided his hopes in securing a place in next summer's World Cup were better served away from the Nou Camp. However, news from his homeland suggests he is about to sign for the Champions League winners and reunite with former manager Pep Guardiola. Guardiola, who led Barca to three La Liga crowns and two Champions League trophies, said earlier this week:

"People have to know that Barca players are not leaving for money or desire. There are two possibilities: they dump you or you feel like you should be playing and Barcelona do not"

Bayern are reportedly prepared to accommodate Thiago in their midfield by moving defensive midfielder Javi Martinez to centre-back, but the young Spain international will still face competition in Guardiola's engine room from new signing Mario Gotze as well as Toni Kroos. If confirmed, this news will be a devastating blow to United fans and to manager David Moyes, who had hoped Thiago would boost a midfield depreciated by the retirement of Paul Scholes, while the futures of Anderson and illness-stricken Darren Fletcher are uncertain. The Old Trafford side, however, are still clinging onto hope that they may yet sign Thiago. The midfielder is understood to have provisionally agreed terms on a five-year-contract with the English champions and Moyes had hoped to tie up the £17 million deal this week, prior to the club jetting off for their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia. But the fact they haven't yet signed the player along with the interest from Bayern will come as a worrying concern for Moyes.