Man Utd Transfer News: Thiago Alcantara Deal To Be Announced By Friday?
ESPN, and could even announce his signing by the end of the week. Club sources claim the situation has taken a positive turn over the last couple of days, but one Old Trafford official admitted the process has often been a difficult one, likening it to the negotiations for Wesley Sneijder in 2011. The difference is however there is now a growing sense of belief that the move for the 22-year-old will be successful, with hopes that United might even be able to announce the transfer at new manager David Moyes' first official press conference this Friday, July 5th. Spanish newspaper Sport reported reported yesterday that one of the main stumbling blocks in the Premier League champions' pursuit of the player is that he is seeking a similar contract clause to the one he has built into his current deal at the Nou Camp, which will allow him to leave if he does not play a set amount of games per season. Moyes is said to have been particularly vocal about the move for Alcantara behind the scenes and is keen to push the transfer through. Recent soundings from the player's camp have also been positive about a move to Manchester. Barca, however, still retain hope that they may yet persuade the youngster to stay in Spain. On Tuesday, spokesman Toni Freixa said:
"There's no news . He has a contract and didn't say anything, so he's still a Barca player now."Despite United's optimism over Thiago, they remain wary, having seen moves for key transfer targets collapse late on in the past. The Red Devils have in the past thought they had secured deals for Sneijder, Mesut Ozil, David Silva and Karim Benzema only for each move to fall through in the eleventh hour. Elsewhere, Moyes is believed to have a much more open attitude about keeping Wayne Rooney, and also retains interest in both Benfica's Ezequiel Garay and PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Strootman. The ex-Everton boss is also expected to make an improved offer for Toffee's defender Leighton Baines, who he brought to Goodison Park from Wigan Athletic six years ago.