Manchester City are plotting a move to see Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara reunited with Pep Guardiola at the club, according to the Daily Mirror.
The national newspaper claim that Man City will need to smash the club record £60million they spent on signing Riyad Mahrez to have any chance of landing the 27-year-old who is seen as a long-term option to replace Fernandinho.
The Mirror report that Thiago, who worked with Guardiola at Bayern Munich as well as Barcelona, would jump at the chance to work with the manager once again and this give Man City hope that a deal is possible.
Good move for Man City?
Yes even if it would be a pricey one.
Thiago is more than capable of being Fernandinho’s long-term replacement in the holding midfield role and would be a splendid signing as a result.
Guardiola clearly needs a player capable of succeeding Fernandinho as well as covering for the influential the 33-year-old when he is unable to feature.
Thiago completely fits the bill as not only has he proven himself at the highest level, but he knows exactly how to fit into Guardiola’s system.
The only issue is the player’s price as given that he has impressed in his 28 outings for Bayern Munich this season, it’s hard to see the German club wanting to part company with him without a huge sum of cash being offered.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Man City clearly have the ability to smash their club record to get Thiago, but that doesn’t mean Bayern Munich will be willing sellers.
The 27-year-old’s potential desire to work with Guardiola again does play into the Premier League side’s hands, but it’s still unlikely the Bundesliga club will roll over and give up the midfielder without much of a fight.
Thiago is contracted to Bayern Munich until 2021 and there’s no suggestion that the midfielder would need to be sold by the club, so in reality Man City’s desire to reunite the 27-year-old with Guardiola does seem to be a bit of a pipe dream.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10