Manchester United’s mooted summer transfer target Thiago Alcantara has revealed the Premier League champions were never interested in signing the ex-Barcelona man.
The 22-year-old moved to Bayern Munich for a €25million fee and linked up with former Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola.
And despite media speculation that the Red Devils were the favourites to sign the Spanish under-21 international, he said the interest was a media invention.
“The truth is that in no moment did United come to us and talk to us,” he told ESPN.co.uk. “It came from the press, it was always a lie.”
He made his Barcelona debut aged 18 and spent five seasons at the Camp Nou, winning four La Ligas and a Champions League title.
But his father and agent, ex-Brazilian international Mazinho, has said his son was close to moving to England and Old Trafford, but talks broke down.
“Thiago was very close to signing with Manchester United,” he told Catalan website La Xarxa. “They had talks. But they couldn’t find an agreement.”
David Moyes has since turned his attention to signing Thiago’s former team-mate Cesc Fabregas, but Barca are unwilling to sell another midfielder.
United have had bids of around £26million and £30million turned down for Fabregas, with new boss Gerardo Martino and vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu confirming he is not for sale.
Picture courtesy of Barca TV, via YouTube, with thanks.
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