Barcelona battling Real Madrid for €70m former Man Utd target

Oli Fisher
Thiago Alcantara

Barcelona are battling Real Madrid for the signing of a €70million Bayern Munich star, according to reports.

Spanish outlet Sport claims that Barcelona want a reunion with former midfielder Thiago Alcantara, though they are not alone in their interest.

The Catalan giants have been linked with a summer move for the 27-year-old, but now face competition from Clasico rivals Real, the report states.

Thiago was at the Nou Camp from 2009-13 before leaving for the Bundesliga. However, it is reported that Bayern will allow the midfielder to leave for €70million (£62m) this summer.

Thiago was a target for Sir Alex Ferguson during his final season as United manager while the Spaniard was still at Barcelona, while Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, also openly sought to sign the 24-year-old.

“There was never any firm proposal,” Thiago told the Daily Mail with regards to United’s interest.

“David de Gea wanted me to join. He wrote a message on my match ball after we’d beaten Italy in the final [of the 2013 European Under 21 Championship]. But I’d have done the same with him.

“He is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world. You always want to play with the best. But it was always going to be Munich.

On the appeal of the Premier League, Thiago added: “All I will say is that it is an amazing league. It is probably the best league in the world but I’m very happy at Bayern and fulfilled with what I am doing.”