He is one man who simply cannot get his name out of the football headlines this summer.

After announcing his desire to leave Bayern Munich and embrace a new challenge, Thiago Alcantara has set the transfer rumour mill into overdrive, with fresh speculation emerging by the day.

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are front-runners for the 29-year-old’s signature, though are yet to come to an official agreement with Bayern. Thiago is currently away on international with Spain for their Nations League matches.

In recent weeks Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United look to have thrown their hat into the ring, and could yet make a late hijack attempt to make him the marquee summer signing at Old Trafford.

On Thursday night following international duty with Spain Thiago even admitted ‘Bayern is home’ and he would be willing to remain in Bavarian, if good enough offers are not made. Both teams must now pull their finger out to make an extraordinary coup.

As the player’s future gradually inches closer to being resolved, Sportsmail takes a look at which side would be best suited to Thiago’s talents, and where exactly the majestic Spanish playmaker would fit in.

Liverpool

Klopp’s side are in pole position for a reason. Thiago and the current Liverpool team look to be a match made in heaven.

Liverpool’s play is so finely tuned now under their German manager that only select, high-calibre pieces need to be added.

Thiago is one of said pieces, and the Reds have raised themselves up to such a status that the biggest names in the game want to come and play their football at Anfield.

Thiago possesses all the skills Klopp craves, while being blessed with innate abilities to read passes and sense space on the pitch in a way most players simply cannot.

Acquiring Thiago would be like Liverpool playing their own Kevin De Bruyne card, with the Spaniard and the Belgian sharing much of the same traits.

Klopp would implement Thiago straight into his midfield three, following a brief period of transition. The 29-year-old would be more than comfortable with playing Klopp’s football, given his very similar role at the Allianz.

Inserted alongside the bedrock of Liverpool’s midfield, Fabinho, Thiago would likely tandem alongside captain Jordan Henderson.

This would enable the England international to put in the leg work, while Thiago sets about his artistry and using his wide passing repertoire to open up channels for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Increased attention on Thiago from Premier League sides would likewise play into Liverpool’s favour during matches, with space set to be freed up for the advancing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool’s local lad has racked up doubles figures on the assists chart for the last two years running, and would be very much in line to make it a three-peat should Thiago arrive on Merseyside.

Below, Sportsmail observes how the Liverpool starting XI would look with the addition of the Bayern man.

Klopp would highly likely retain his tried and tested 4-3-3 formation, with Thiago and Henderson given license to roam on further forward than the patrolling general Fabinho.

Thiago’s arrival would spell danger for Naby Keita, who finished last season in strong form and looks to have continued this into summer break.

Keita, a very similar player to that of Thiago, would be left as a tantalising option from the bench for Liverpool with his energy and dynamism in the closing stages perhaps ripe for winning matches.

The Guinean however is desperate for a starting place, while Thiago’s arrival would also spell danger for the chances of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Manchester United

When it comes to United, fitting in Thiago becomes a little more suspect.

The Red Devils are yet to make a move, and there is widespread suggestion that United’s name has been thrown into the hat by Bayern alone, in order to force Liverpool to meet their asking price.

Thiago previously rejected United during the David Moyes era, though would be an instant hit at Old Trafford if he were to sign on the dotted line.

Fitting him in would be quite the brainteaser however, given United have just announced the arrival of Dutch starlet Donny van de Beek.

The arrival of the Ajax man is the strongest signal yet that United will not be formally entering the Thiago race, though should things change Solskjaer would need to give serious consideration as to how to best utlilise the talents.

United could ill afford to have a situation similar to that of Barcelona with Antoine Griezmann, in which a superstar is signed and played out of position from the off.

With this in mind, Solskjaer would likely sequence his midfield and play through a 4-2-2-2 system, with it ranging flexibility.

Keeping the same defence in order, talisman Paul Pogba could sit in a more dominant midfield role alongside new boy Van de Beek, with Thiago and Bruno Fernandes just ahead.

Fernandes has breathed fresh air into United since his January arrival, and would likely hit even greater heights with Thiago pulling the strings alongside.

This potential Spanish-Portuguese partnership would then provide a perfect foil for a striking duo of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, as United begin to boast world-class quality in every position.

Below is a glimpse of how the team could line up.

As can be immediately noted, the arrival of Thiago would likely have to see Solskajer sacrifice his blossoming front three trident, relegating Mason Greenwood back to the bench.

This could spell disaster for the youngster, who is progressing at such a rapid rate that at 18-years-old he is already in the senior England ranks, and a loan move isn’t even considered a possibility.

It would be a huge call by Solskjaer, but one which would go with little scrutiny given Thiago’s standing in European football.

Manchester United are preparing to finalise agent salary and fees before submitting an official offer to Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made the England international his top transfer target this summer to bolster his attacking options, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood currently occupying the front three positions.

However, talk of a Sancho move to Old Trafford had gone quiet over the past few weeks, with the Bundesliga club steadfast in their refusal to budge from their valuation of the player, understood to be £108million.

Dortmund chief Michael Zorc insisted last month that any chance of United signing their 20-year-old star had dissipated after they missed a deadline to agree a deal for the player.

Sportsmail understands, though, that United are preparing to go back in for Sancho, but will first sort out the salary and fees of intermediaries before approaching Dortmund with an official bid.

Sancho’s agent is understood to be Emeka Obasi of the Elite Project Group agency. The agency also looks after the likes of Bukayo Saka, Todd Cantwell and Eddie Nketiah.

United remain the frontrunners to sign Sancho this summer, and are looking to strike while the iron is hot after landing Donny van de Beek this week.

The Ajax youngster had been on the radar of a number of high-profile clubs in Europe after starring for the Dutch club in their Champions League run to the semi final last season.

But United have won the race for the attacking midfielder, who sealed a £40m switch to Old Trafford, signing a contract until June 2025 in the process.

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says he regrets ruling out a future move to Barcelona after being lined up as one of the favourites for the post this summer.

The Argentine, who was sacked by Spurs last November, previously said it was ‘impossible’ to become head coach at the Nou Camp having spent 13 years at rivals Espanyol as both a player and manager.

The Catalan side eventually appointed Holland boss Ronald Koeman after sacking Quique Setien following their miserable 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, and Pochettino said he was never approached by the club.

‘I think the statements made the [Barca] fans reluctant to accept me, but at no time did I receive an offer to manage Barca,’ he told the Spanish press, via the Evening Standard.

‘I was wrong in the way I conveyed that it would be impossible in the future to manage Barcelona,’ he added.

‘I was a bit exaggerated by not leaving an iota of doubt.’

He has previously compared joining Barcelona to managing Arsenal after leaving Tottenham and, speaking in 2018, Pochettino said he and the club were ‘on different paths’.

‘I have a lot of friends in Barcelona, who are from the Barca team and to whom I have enormous respect, but my way and that of Barcelona are going through different paths, in opposite directions and that would be impossible.’

Pochettino spent seven years in his first spell as an Espanyol player between 1994 and 2001, winning the Copa del Rey, before leaving for PSG. But he formed a special bond with the club and returned for a second stint in 2003.

After three more seasons he retired and later took over as head coach – saving the club from relegation and masterminding a famous win over Pep Guardiola’s feared Barcelona team.

Since leaving Spurs last year, Pochettino has been linked with a number of big jobs, including Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich. He came close to winning trophies in north London after leading them to the 2019 Champions League final, but was axed after a terrible run that left the team in mid-table.

Reflecting on his departure, he refused to point the blame at the club and said he simply failed to win enough games.

‘Relationships are broken due to the responsibility of both parties,’ he added. ‘I do not think there was a culprit. Coaches survive by winning games.’

Manchester United would be better off signing Harry Kane than Jadon Sancho, according to Gary Neville.

The Sky Sports pundit argues that Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial need competition but he believes that could come from various top-flight players, not just Sancho.

United have been in negations with the Borussia Dortmund striker for several months but the Bundesliga side have made it clear they will not be parting ways with their key asset until their demands of £100million are met.

Neville has also expressed his concern over the lack of signings United have made, claiming that they need to strengthen at least five areas.

Neville says a ‘world class centre-back’ is a necessity and that Ole Gunnar Solkjear’s side could also benefit from ‘a right winger, a centre-forward and left-back’.

The United legend told Sky Sports: ‘The fans I speak to aren’t saying we desperately want Sancho. They are saying we want the right calibre of signing brought into the club. It could be anybody that fits that bill.

‘Yes, Sancho may fit that bill, but I’m not sat here as a United fan thinking I desperately want him. It could be any number of players that become available that would improve United.

‘If Harry Kane became available, and Tottenham fans will be saying why are you trying to get him out of Spurs again, but if he became available, he’d obviously improve United’s squad. So it doesn’t have to be a certain player.

‘The emergence of Mason Greenwood takes a bit of pressure off the situation but still, Manchester United need to add to the front three of Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

‘They need to challenge those three players and support those three players. They need to have depth behind those three players, and they will drive the standards.

‘We saw that with Greenwood, Martial and Rashford towards the end of the season. They were driving each other to score more goals, assist each other, they were playing better together so other players coming in of that kind of quality are going to improve them.’

When asked specifically where he believes United should reinforce their squad, Neville added:  ‘They have to sign a world class centre-back. For me, another midfield player. I also think a right winger, a centre-forward and you have to look at left-back because of Luke Shaw’s injuries and the fact he has obviously been in and out of the team in the last two or three years.

‘So, I think there are definitely four or five players required and to not get three, I think it would be a problem because of what the other clubs are doing.

‘If Liverpool get Thiago, if Manchester City do what they are looking like they are going to do and with Chelsea doing what they’ve done, they are your competitors and they all look like they are improving and moving forward.

‘So, United have to do business but I do believe more in the strategy of what’s happening, they just have to get the deals over the line.

‘That’s not always easy but they have to try and do it quickly to give Ole the time to build to get this team moulded for the start of the season.’

In a professional and respectful meeting, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Jorge Messi failed to reach an agreement over the future of the latter’s son, Lionel Messi.

Jorge was accompanied by Rodrigo Messi, Leo’s brother and adviser, while Bartomeu brought with him fellow director Javier Bordas.

“My son isn’t staying at Barcelona,” is the decisive sentence which TyC Sports claim Messi’s representative told the Barcelona president.

That is the total opposite of Barcelona’s position, who insist that a 700 million euro release clause must be activated for him to leave in a meeting which lasted over an hour and a half.

Talks will continue as they look to find an agreement.

Manchester United confirm the arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax. The Dutch midfielder has signed a five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.

Van de Beek, 23, came through the ranks of the Ajax youth system, making his senior debut in 2015. Experienced in European competitions, he played a key role as Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 and also featured in the 2017 Europa League final against United.

The Netherlands international contributed 10 goals and 11 assists in 37 games last season before the Eredivisie was curtailed.

Donny van de Beek said: “I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history.

“I would like to thank everyone at Ajax. I grew up there and I will always have a special bond with the club.

“I am now ready to take the next step in my career and perform at the highest level and there is no higher standard than Manchester United.

Donny van de Beek has completed a medical in the Netherlands ahead of his £40m move from Ajax to Manchester United.

The deal, which is thought to be in the region of €39m, plus another €5m in add-ons, is now imminent and could be completed before the Netherlands’ upcoming Nations League matches.

The 23-year-old had his medical while with the Netherlands squad ahead of their games against Poland (September 4) and Italy (September 7). He will travel to the UK after those fixtures.

United have scouted Van de Beek extensively, with the player left out of Ajax’s squad for the Dutch champions’ friendly with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday amid rumours of an imminent move away.

Van de Beek helped Ajax reach the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals, scoring four goals along the way and 40 in all competitions over the last three seasons.

In May, Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar confirmed the midfielder would be allowed to leave, but only for a suitable fee.

Van de Beek was close to joining Real Madrid prior to the coronavirus pandemic, but he did not complete a medical or sign an agreement with the club.

The Transfer Show also reported on Monday there was a preference for any deal involving him to be completed before Ajax kick off their new season in the Dutch Eredivisie against Sparta Rotterdam on September 13.

The Government has also confirmed to The Transfer Show that Van de Beek will not need to self-isolate for 14 days in the UK provided he is a registered Manchester United player, before either of his games for the Netherlands.

If the Dutchman becomes a United player prior to the Netherlands’ matches against Poland or Italy, he will be allowed to apply for an exemption on sporting grounds.

The same exemption currently applies for all Premier League and EFL players away on international duty from the UK, and for those who are competing in games abroad, such as Liverpool’s friendlies being played during their pre-season camp in Austria.

Netherlands is not currently in a travel corridor with the UK.

Analysis: Why do Man Utd want Van de Beek?

Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:

Donny van de Beek is a man in demand, but why has he garnered so much attention?

With incredible versatility, Van de Beek can operate in a central or attacking role and has been described as the classic box-to-box midfielder.

The 23-year-old has the ability to play anywhere across the middle – a trait that will only increase his value – and as well as being that vital link between defence and attack, he is more offensively minded than other central midfield players.

He has developed that special talent of making late runs into the area to latch onto forward passes, catching out even the most astute of defenders.

But he is also not afraid of sitting deep and doing the hard work when he needs to. According to WhoScored.com, Van de Beek makes an average of two tackles per game in the Eredivisie – the fourth highest in the Ajax squad – and can help out in a more defensive role when needed.

Even fellow countryman and former Ajax assistant manager Dennis Bergkamp had him pegged as a special talent at a young age.

In quotes carried by the Daily Mail, Frank de Boer, who Bergkamp worked under at the club, recalled: “Dennis started talking enthusiastically about a talent in his youth team. It was a boy who reminded Dennis of himself at that age. That was the signal for me to keep an eye on that guy. That was Donny.”

‘Sancho remains top target – but next summer?’

Sky Sports News’ James Cooper:

“The personal terms shouldn’t be an issue for Van de Beek – he wants to come and a medical could take place on Thursday, before he plays for the Netherlands against Poland on Friday night.

“Manchester United have moved quickly on this – they wanted to bring in a midfielder to bolster their options and not just rely on Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes; it will likely be a rotational policy – three players for two positions.

“Getting Van de Beek in when other clubs have been busy will take some of the heat off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ed Woodward but Jadon Sancho remains their No 1 target this summer. I think it will go on and on, though; I don’t see Man Utd writing a £100m cheque so it will be a complex deal to do.

“There’s a feeling Sancho wants to come to Manchester United so there is the will there; United will keep pushing but they’ll also look to fulfil what they want elsewhere, which is a centre-back to put pressure on Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly and be a potential first-team starter.

“They have the finances for Sancho but it’s whether they think the environment is right. There is a chance, though nobody is saying it publicly, that it might go to next summer.”

‘Upamecano to United? Not this summer’

Sky Sports News’ James Cooper:

“I’m afraid I don’t think Dayot Upamecano will be coming to Manchester United this summer. He is someone they have scouted and been impressed by.

“He’s 21-years-old and made a real name for himself across Europe while at RB Leipzig.

“He’s on a list of sorts, but not one for this summer, it might be United would prefer a scenario whereby they look at him for another season, how he responds to the challenge of playing consistently amid interest from the likes of United.

“You can see why people are talking about him, you can see him alongside Harry Maguire, but it won’t happen this summer. United’s priorities lie elsewhere, and he may be too expensive given he just signed a three-year deal.”

‘Bergkamp helped sell Premier League to Van de Beek’

De Telegraaf journalist Marcel van der Kraan joined The Transfer Show on Sky Sports News on Monday to explain how former Arsenal star Dennis Bergkamp played a surprising role in convincing Van de Beek to join United.

The 23-year-old is dating Bergkamp’s daughter Estelle, and Van der Kraan believes the Dutch legend played a key role in selling Van de Beek on the merits of playing in the Premier League, instead of waiting for potential moves to La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona to materialise.

“Twelve months ago, there was an agreement with Real Madrid. They were absolutely sure they wanted him. The Covid situation has changed that,” Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News.

“Then there was Barcelona up until this weekend. Ronald Koeman is a big fan of him but he had no cash available to sign him.

“The player could maybe have waited and been sure of a move [to Barcelona] but let’s look at who was in the background here.

“Dennis Bergkamp, the former Arsenal No 10, is his father-in-law these days and I am sure Donny van de Beek has knocked on his door and said ‘look, where do you advise me to go?’

“I think Dennis said ‘look, the Premier League is the place where you want to be’. Dennis did not do well in Italy when he was with Inter Milan. When he came to England, that was heaven for him in his football career.

“I am sure that advice was vital for Donny van de Beek.”

‘Ole trying to build squad to challenge on several fronts’

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich believes the deal would be a “fantastic move” for both the player and the club, and says United need to continue to increase the depth of their squad.

“Those that watched the player during his time in Holland have seen the progress that he’s made. I think the way Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) wants to move forward, it’ll work really, really well,” Bosnich said.

“I think he’ll play more often than not.

“You can tell that Ole is trying to build a squad that will be sufficient for them to challenge on several fronts, not just for one particular competition.

“He knows from his own experience from being at the club when they won the treble, they had four strikers – himself, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. It’s very important to make sure you have back-up in each position.”

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Bayern Munich have bid adieu to Philippe Coutinho after his treble-winning loan spell at the club. He is expected to now return to Barca.

Rummenigge: “We would like to thank Philippe Coutinho very much. With his creativity and excellent technique, he has invigorated our game during this treble-winning season”.

Hasan Salihamidzic: “Even though FC Bayern & Philippe Coutinho are parting ways after just one season, his commitment in Munich has made it clear what an outstanding player he is. He he can be rightly proud of his contribution to the treble, especially in the CL finals tournament.

Timo Werner has opened up on his start to life at Chelsea and revealed that Frank Lampard’s side are gearing up for a title challenge next season.

The striker made the move from RB Leipzig to Stamford Bridge in a £53million deal earlier this summer and scored in Chelsea’s pre-season friendly inside just four minutes against Brighton last weekend.

Lampard has strengthened his side this summer with the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva joining Werner at the club.

Chelsea finished in the top four last term but Werner has conceded that the Blues are targeting challenging reigning champions Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the Premier League trophy.

‘He’s [Lampard’s] been great to work with and he’s been discussing his plans for the future, and how we want to battle with teams like Man City and Liverpool,’ he told the club’s official website.

‘I think Chelsea is a big club and with this team that we have, I think we can reach a new level.

‘My apartment is very nice, I feel happy there and also the city of London is brilliant. For me, London is one of the best cities in the world so I’m really happy.’

Werner is currently on international duty with Germany before linking back up with Chelsea before their 2020-21 campaign starts on September 14 at Brighton.

The 24-year-old has revealed that he is adapting to life in England. ‘When I first came to England it was hard to understand everyone’s English because I haven’t had to speak this language since my school days. It’s not been as hard as I expected though, everyone has helped me settle in,’ he added.

‘People have spoken very slowly so I can understand and right now I feel very happy. I can understand everything and communicate in English.’

Edu Aguirre has hit out at Lionel Messi for his decision to leave Barcelona this summer.

The Spanish journalist believes that the Argentine’s determination to leave the Blaugrana is an act of treason against the club.

“For me, Messi is carrying out the greatest betrayal in the history of football,” Aguirre told the popular Spanish TV programme ‘El Chiringuito de Jugones’.

“Barcelona fans don’t deserve that.

“Messi is ditching them.

“It’s the moment for Leo Messi to hold a press conference and say: ‘I’ll stay because I have a memory and I know what this club is for me’.

“Messi is jumping off the boat when it’s sinking.

“Messi should not leave now.”