Manchester United to step up bid for Thiago Alcantara after Euro U21 Final heroics

19 June 2013 09:55

Manchester United have have been favourites to sign Barcelona’s Spanish wonderkid Thiago Alcantara for a while.

But after the Barcelona star scored a hatrick to seal Spain's victory in the EURO U21 tournament this week, David Moyes will now step up his interest in the Spaniard as he looks to strengthen the Manchester United midfield.

New Red Devils boss, David Moyes, has been a long-term admirer of the midfielder, 22, yet knew he was out of reach of former club Everton.

But the Premier League champions have also tracked Thiago for the past three years.

And they could now prove an irresistible draw for a player who has been frustrated by a lack of first-team action at Barca.

United are willing to offer Barca £15million for the midfielder, activating his release clause. Thiago underlined his potential by bagging a first-half hat-trick in Spain’s 4-2 triumph over Italy to win the European Under-21 Championships last night.

The Spanish skipper headed a sixth-minute opener, blasted home a 31st-minute second and slotted a 38th-minute penalty in Israel.

Source: DSG