Sunday, 14th July, 2013
Bayern Munich have announced the capture of Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona, for an initial fee of €20m.
The Bavarians beat Manchester United to the signature of the Spain midfielder, who had long been linked with moving to Old Trafford this summer.
An intervention from Pep Guardiola swung the chase in Bayern Munich’s favour and Thiago has duly penned a contract which runs until 2017 in Munich.
Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will pay €20m for Thiago, with other money towards the sale coming from a friendly between the two clubs.
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And in a sign of how keen Thiago was to push the move through, he has also given up a loyalty payment he would have been due.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quick to welcome the signing.
"Thiago Alcantara was the big wish of our new coach Pep Guardiola", Rummenigge told his club’s official site.
"We are happy that we succeeded in realising this big transfer. Thiago has only just been voted as the best player at the Under-21 European Championship.
"He is a fantastic player with a great future and will strengthen Bayern."
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