adminThey still have to finalise a deal with Barcelona and discussions between the two clubs will continue over the weekend.
Thiago is seen as one of the rising stars of Spanish football and underlined his growing reputation by scoring a hat-trick in his country’s triumph over Italy in the European Under-21 Championship Final earlier this week.
But he has grown increasingly frustrated over his lack of opportunities at the Nou Camp despite assurances from Barca that they see him as a future leader of their team.
He was first recommended to United by the club’s chief scout Martin Ferguson three years ago, and new Old Trafford boss David Moyes has also been a long-term admirer during his time at Everton.
But it was thought unlikely that he could be prised away from Barcelona where he has come through the youth system since the age of 14.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have finally joined the Premier League’s biggest spenders after finalising a record-breaking deal to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain that could be worth a staggering £50million. And the club’s billionaire shareholder Alisher Usmanov has also urged manager Arsene Wenger to keep splashing the cash with a move for Wayne Rooney.
It was earlier this month that Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said the club were now in a financial position to be pursue Europe’s more expensive players, and so appease supporters long frustrated by Wenger’s more frugal approach in the transfer market.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to be appointed as Jose Mourinho’s replacement in the coming days and barring the unexpected prospect of Ancelotti blocking the move, Higuain will complete his switch to the Emirates Stadium. The signing of such a stellar name as Higuain provides evidence that the Gunners, after years of light spending in the transfer market, can now compete for some of the world’s top stars.
Higuain will become Arsenal’s most expensive ever signing, surpassing the £15million paid to Zenit St Petersburg for Andrey Arshavin.
He will also be the club’s top earner, overtaking Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski, who earn in the region of £100 000-per-week.
Higuain’s capture will take a healthy chunk out of Wenger’s £70million summer warchest – but Usmanov, the club’s second biggest shareholder, now wants the Gunners to land Rooney. — AFP.
Online Reporter