The former Barca midfielder lays to rest claims the Spaniard could have joined the Red Devils.
New Bayern Munich signing Thiago Alcantara reveals that the German champions were always the 22-year-old’s first choice and that the Spain international never spoke to Manchester United.
The midfielder signed for Bayern earlier this month in a £17m deal, but the Red Devils were said to have been in pursuit the whole time, although Thiago has rubbished those claims.
“Nobody from Manchester United spoke to us,” the Spaniard was quoted on goal.com.
“Bayern were always my first option. Did Real Madrid want me? That’s my business.”
However, Thiago’s father and agent – former Brazil international Mazinho – admitted that his son nearly did move to Old Trafford before making the switch to Germany.
“Thiago was very close to signing with Manchester United,” Mazinho was quoted in the Metro.
“They watched him at the Under-21 European Champions, and after it was finished, they had talks. But they couldn’t find an agreement.”
This difference in stories would suggest that whilst the Red Devils were in discussion with Barca over the transfer, the deal never got far enough for the Premier League champions to discuss terms with the player himself.
The fact that it seemed Thiago had his heart set on Bayern and a reunion with former boss Pep Guardiola will do little to console United, who as yet under new manager David Moyes have failed to make a big name signing.
The club are keeping tabs on another midfielder from Catalonia in Cesc Fabregas, but a transfer seems some way off with the hierarchy at the Nou Camp determined not to sell.
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