Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has publicly confirmed his interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcántara.
The 22-year-old is available this summer at a reduced buyout price due to the activation of a contractual clause based on appearances last season for the Blaugrana.
Whilst most reports indicated that he was bound for Manchester United, Thiago, who was brought into the first team squad at the Camp Nou when Guardiola was coach, could instead be set for a reunion with his mentor.
"I want to sign Thiago," Guardiola told a press conference on Thursday.
"I have talked to (chief executive) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and (sporting director) Matthias Sammer, but there's no news. We'll have to wait and see.
"Thiago can play in 3 or 4 positions and is great in the one-on-ones. I know how much potential he has. He is a great player.
"It is either Thiago or nothing. Sammer and Rummenigge know my reasons for wanting Thiago. He's a super player."
Guardiola felt Neymar's arrival at Barcelona would hinder Thiago's chances of featuring regularly for the Catalan giants.
He added: "Nobody wants to leave Barcelona. That only happens when a player feels he will not play too much in the upcoming season.
"With Neymar, a big player has joined Barcelona. Thiago wants to play and at Barcelona his chances would be worse.
"Thiago wants to play. That's what we can offer. We have a lot of games and need to rotate the squad a lot."
Following the press conference, it was reported by Catalan radio station RAC1 that Rummenigge has already approached Barcelona and announced Bayern's willingness to pay the €18 million release clause.
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| Having already worked together at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola has to be favorite to snap up Thiago Photo: Getty Images |
The 22-year-old is available this summer at a reduced buyout price due to the activation of a contractual clause based on appearances last season for the Blaugrana.
Whilst most reports indicated that he was bound for Manchester United, Thiago, who was brought into the first team squad at the Camp Nou when Guardiola was coach, could instead be set for a reunion with his mentor.
"I want to sign Thiago," Guardiola told a press conference on Thursday.
"I have talked to (chief executive) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and (sporting director) Matthias Sammer, but there's no news. We'll have to wait and see.
"Thiago can play in 3 or 4 positions and is great in the one-on-ones. I know how much potential he has. He is a great player.
"It is either Thiago or nothing. Sammer and Rummenigge know my reasons for wanting Thiago. He's a super player."
Guardiola felt Neymar's arrival at Barcelona would hinder Thiago's chances of featuring regularly for the Catalan giants.
He added: "Nobody wants to leave Barcelona. That only happens when a player feels he will not play too much in the upcoming season.
"With Neymar, a big player has joined Barcelona. Thiago wants to play and at Barcelona his chances would be worse.
"Thiago wants to play. That's what we can offer. We have a lot of games and need to rotate the squad a lot."
Following the press conference, it was reported by Catalan radio station RAC1 that Rummenigge has already approached Barcelona and announced Bayern's willingness to pay the €18 million release clause.
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