MANCHESTER UNITED have missed out on signing Barcelona playmaker Thiago Alcantara.
Thiago Alcantara is set for Bayern Munich
The Spain international, 22, was tipped to become David Moyes' first big signing at Old Trafford.“FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the transfer of the player Thiago Alcantara”Barcelona statement
But Champions League winners Bayern Munich have nipped in and agreed a deal to bring Thiago to Germany.
There he will link up with ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola, who is embarking on his first season at the Bayern helm.
A fee of £21.6m has been agreed between the two clubs, as well as a commitment to hold a friendly by 2017.
United are short of midfield options following the retirement of Paul Scholes - but Moyes will have to look elsewhere to strengthen.
Thiago had found first-team opportunities hard to come by at the Nou Camp, with Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Xavi all above him in the pecking order.
And with next year's World Cup round the corner, Thiago was keen to get regular football to boost his chances of starring for Spain.
Our mock-up of what Thiago would have looked like donning a United shirt
A Barcelona statement read: "FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the transfer of the player Thiago Alcantara to the German club for a total of 25 million (euros).“FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munich have reached an agreement over the transfer of the player Thiago Alcantara”Barcelona statement
"This agreement also includes holding a friendly match between the two teams, which will be played in the next four years."
Thago was captain of Spain Under-21s at the European Championship
Thiago had a lack of first-team opportunies at Barcelona
Thiago was tipped to be David Moyes' first big signing
Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas were all above him in the Barca pecking order
Pep Guardiola worked with Thiago at Barcelona
Paul Scholes' retirement has left a gaping hole in the United midfield
Thiago lifted the European Under-21 Championship with Spain
Thiago ended his under-21 career with a hat-trick in the Euopean Championship final
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