Thiago Alcantara to cost just 18Million Euros!

It looks like Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara is destined to become one of this year’s top transfers at a bargain basement price. At the end of June 2011, after leading the Spain U21 team to European Championship glory, the player renewed his contract until 2015. Both the club and the midfielder included a clause in the contract that, in the case of not being able to play a certain percentage of matches, his selling price would decrease from the 90Million euros established in the clause to just 18Million euros. Looking at the statistics of the player and taking into account the two games left to play against Espanyol and Malaga and even the Copa Catalunya, Thiago Alcantara will not reach the required minimum as stated in his contract.

Thiago has played so far 19 games as a first team starter and 14 as a substitute. He started the league already injured and after recovering, he got hurt again. Between the two injuries, he was out for 13 games and an additional four after being discharged while the player exercised to regain his peak fitness.

With so many absences along with his limited participation and the responsibility that Tito Vilanova entrusted him, have caused Thiago to become dissatisfied and to make him rethink his future at the Camp Nou. Thiago’s agent, Pere Guardiola, sensing that one day his player could be in this position, skillfully introduced the clause, which came into effect last season but would disappear from the next.

Several top clubs have expressed an interest in his contract situation. The big three of the Premiership, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, and Bayern coach Pep Guardiola Guardiola, who knows Thiago well as he brought him up from the Barca B team. Thiago could feature heavily in new Manchester United boss David Moyes‘ plans as he rebuilds the team for the future. According to British newspaper the Sun, Thiago could be a possible replacement for the retired Paul Scholes.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4938519/David-Moyes-eyes-new-Paul-Scholes-Thiago-at-Man-Utd.html#ixzz2U79PYO1q

Thiago will now have the job of listening to the various clubs involved and make a decision because the clause is only valid for the current season – 2012-2013. The two seasons that remain on his contract will therefore void such a clause and the player’s fee will return to the original price of 90Million euros.

The player wants to continue at FC Barcelona, but also to feel important and not see his progression as a player hindered and for this reason he has taken some time to reflect on his decision and decide what’s best for his future.

The club was willing to listen to offers for the player but did not expect the bargain price his clause suggests. Thiago is one of the jewels of Barca’s Youth Academy with a great future who is highly desirable but so underused by the coaches.

The insistent reports that highlight the intention of the club to sign a midfielder do not help Thiago in his bid to stay at the Camp Nou. Although the club ensures the midfielder that he doesn’t feature on the transfer list, Thiago Alcantara hasn’t been convinced and has therefore decided to look elsewhere. Apparently, he has preferred to start looking first at other teams rather than the other way around.