Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara wants real guarantees he will play

As we already know, Thiago Alcántara does not want to continue at Barcelona. It is no secret that after having played very little last season and virtually no playing time in the big games, the player wants out. It’s a complicated situation that doesn’t look like changing next season either where he will be competing against the likes of Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregás for the two available positions.

For some time now, the player has been moving in search of a new destination As we already know, his buyout clause has dropped to just 18M euros for not playing a high enough percentage of games.

In the negotiations with Thiago, his salary hasn’t been an issue with the club. Thiago earns 1.8M euros after tax per season and his wages are likely to increase wherever he ends up.

The main point of debate was that the player has demanded guarantees of playing next season. And that’s not so easy to promise at a club like Barca. Thiago knows that Guardiola has always been committed to him, but Bayern’s new manager cannot assure him of a permanent role in the side of the current European champions.

Thiago’s main suitor is Manchester United who have been interested in him from the get go and expressed their willingness to pay the 18M buyout clause. David Moyes, United’s new manager is counting on him and has already said that Thiago will get lots of playing time although he can’t offer any more guarantees than that. Thiago will make a decision shortly and United is the best placed club to sign the youngster. Barcelona has tried to keep hold of Thiago but failed. The Catalan club is aware that the player has a great future, but that he must wait and be patient for the time being.

The Barca midfielder has just turned 22, and still has most of his career ahead of him, but for the moment, there are still players who edge him out of the first team on experience alone.

On the other hand, Thiago Alcantara’s brother Rafinha renewed his contract yesterday until 2016. The reserve team midfielder will play on loan next season.