United Agree £17m Fee for Spanish Midfielder – Report

Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Mail Online reports a £5m per year package has been agreed and the Premier League champions will pay their Spanish counterparts £17m for the player's services.

Alcantara's already considerable reputation rose dramatically after a superb performance in the final of the European U21 Championships, in which he scored a first-half hat-trick to lead Spain to victory over Italy.
The Catalans rate Alcantara very highly and his contract with the Nou Camp side includes a €90m release clause. However, given his lack of first team opportunities, that figure has reportedly fallen dramatically this summer, with ESPN believing the figure now stands at €18m.
United are long-time admirers and can offer the midfielder regular first team football, something his father has revealed is necessary if his son is to break into Spain's first team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.