Bayern Munich have confirmed the signing of Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcântara for €20 million.
The 22-year-old, who is of Brazilian heritage, has continually been linked with move to Old Trafford this summer in search of first-team football.
However, ex-Barca boss Pep Guardiola revealed on Thursday that he wanted to sign his former player and that he had asked Bayern’s directors to bring him to Germany.
The club’s director of football Matthias Sammer denied that a deal had been completed earlier on Sunday.
But it has now been revealed that the Spain Under-21 captain is set to sign a four-year contract at the Allianz Arena.
OFFIZIELL: Transfer von Thiago Alcantara (22) von Barcelona zum FCB perfekt! Bayern zahlt für Guardiolas Wunschspieler 20 Mio. ^M.Hörwick
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 14, 2013
The deal will also include a friendly between the German and Spanish champions, and the transfer fee could rise to €25m.
It has been well documented this summer that Thiago’s buyout clause stood at €18 million, after a clause in his 2011-signed contract dropped it down from an original €90m figure as he did not make enough appearances last season.
The European champions have secured his services ahead of numerous reported suitors battling for his signature.
Thiago, who is the son of 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho, was the stand out player at the recent European Under-21 Championships, where he netted a hat-trick in the final against Italy.
