Thiago Alcantara negotiating contract renewal with Bayern Munich
The Spanish midfielder will commit his future to the German club until 2021
Barça were keen on re-signing him, but Bayern have acted quickly to avoid that scenario
Thiago Alcántara will prolong his contract with Bayern Munich until 2021 and will become one of the higest paid players in the history of the club, pouring water on the possibility of a return to Barcelona.
Bayern have never even contemplated losing Thiago to Barça or any other club, despite the speculation which has existed -- he was also linked with following Pep Guardiola to Manchester City in the past.
In March, when his name was linked with Barça again, SPORT reported that Bayern's intentions were to extend his deal. Those intentions are now a reality and the matter is being dealt with at the moment.
Bayern considers him non-negotiable and wants to ensure he stays
A source close to the Bayern board has revealed that the club have now began work on the offer they will make to the Spanish international, with his current terms running until 2019. According to Kicker he will become "one of the highest paid players in Bayern's history."
Thiago has had huge importance since Carlo Ancelotti took charge. In his first two seasons injuries meant he only played 33 games after joining Guardiola in Munich in 2013.
Last season, though, he played 36 games but curiously it's under Ancelotti that he has really taken off.
"Ancelotti likes good football," Thiago explained in an interview with SPORT, adding that his relationship with the Italian is "phenomenal". So far this season he has played 29 games, 28 as a starter.
Thiago's excelled under Ancelotti, who he has an excellent relationship with
"For the manager he is like Pirlo was to Milan: the one who marks the character of the team. He's not the stand out star, but he's essential to the system," Italian journalist Carlo Riva explains.
When they head in Munich of Barcelona's interest, the reacted quickly: 90 million euros. It was a message from the club that he was not for sale, that he is irreplaceable.
For that reason, Bayern will tie Thiago down to a new contract.
