Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola wants to sign Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara - who is a reported target for Manchester United.
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The Spanish playmaker, 22, was handed his Barcelona debut by Guardiola at the age of 18 in May 2009.
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To say Thiago comes from a footballing background is an understatement: his father Mazinho was a Brazil international who won the World Cup in 1994 and his younger brother Rafael - better known as Rafinha - is another product of the Barcelona academy who has made a handful of first-team appearances so far.
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The 22-year-old is an astonishingly adept technician, possessing a sublime first touch and all the flicks, tricks, stepovers and turns in the book. He's also a wonderful passer, albeit occasionally a little too ambitious, and has long been regarded by Nou Camp insiders as Xavi's natural heir.
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Guardiola said: "It is either Thiago or nothing.
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"I don't know what's going to happen. We have to wait. But I know him very well. He is a super, super player."
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"He can play in three, four or five positions," he
added.
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Guardiola is hoping Thiago will leave Spain's La Liga champions to increase his chances of making next summer's World Cup.
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Thiago captained Spain to the European Under-21 Championship in June and scored a first-half hat- trick against Italy in the final.
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He is said to have a £15.5m release clause at Barcelona.
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Champions League winners Bayern Munich have already signed forward Mario Gotze and defender Jan Kirkhhoff this summer.
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Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski is also expected to join the Bundesliga champions at the end of the season on a free transfer.
Pep has a way of luring players to his club so Thiago might end up in Bayern Munich....Let's wait and see though