A shocking claim from The Athletic‘s senior football writer Daniel Taylor suggests that Manchester United had soon-to-be Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara in the palm of their hands all the way back in 2013 but the plug was pulled after former manager David Moyes rejected the deal.
Thiago, 29, is widely regarded to be one of football’s greatest midfielders after enjoying impressive career spells with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The hugely talented midfielder has played pivotal roles both in La Liga and Bundesliga as well as internationally, the Spaniard boasts a remarkable trophy collection which includes 11 league titles and two Champions League trophies.
Despite Thiago’s latest triumph coming for Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 Champions League final, the world-class midfielder looks set for a move to the Premier League after agreeing a deal to join Jurgen Klopp’s side until 2024, according to leading journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Thiago Alcantara will sign his contract as new Liverpool player until June 2024. The agreement is 100% completed also with the player as with Bayern Münich [€30m add ons included]. The official announcement is just a matter of time… here we go! 🔴 #LFC #Thiago #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 17, 2020
The devastating news comes in light of United’s apparent pursuit of the midfielder which had raised hopes among pockets of fans that the two-time Champions League winner could be on his way to Old Trafford.
However, with Thiago now set to be playing in a different shade of red next season, a recent revelation from leading football writer Taylor suggests United fans could be left feeling even more frustrated.
Taylor claims that legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson had spent ‘years’ scouting Thiago with his intention being to sign the Spaniard back in 2013 for his managerial successor Moyes.
Taylor goes onto say that everything was agreed but Moyes pulled the deal at the last minute on the grounds that he didn’t know enough about the player.
If Moyes didn’t know who Thiago was then, he certainly does now.
Thiago should be a great signing for Liverpool – and another ‘what if’ moment for Man Utd.
Thiago was Alex Ferguson’s leaving ‘present’ for David Moyes in 2013. Years of scouting, everything agreed. Then Moyes called it off because he didn’t feel he knew enough about the player.
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) September 17, 2020
Ouch.
Read more: Rio Ferdinand backs fans’ frustration in damning assessment of club’s transfer inactivity
