The editor of the Norwegian fan club of Barcelona rates Thiago, to say the least. Google translate, with some minor necessary corrections on my behalf:
Do you think that Thiago now ends up at United?
- There has been much back and forth with Thiago. To be quite honest I have no idea what's going on. Thiago is looking for regular playing time, he's not getting that in Barcelona. He has players like Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Cesc, all of which are higher priority than Thiago, in front of him. There are only three places and the math is simple. He is the youngest of his players on the first team and has not been played as much as he wants. In addition, he was also injured last season.
Will you be disappointed if he leaves the club or you can understand it due to lack of playing time and competition?
- I will be very disappointed if he leaves the club. He has been one of my favorites since he played for the B team and has tremendous skills and a talented team can not afford to lose. I understand that he wants playing time, but he can play enough to evolve, I mean. He must be more patient and take the chances he gets.
Is Thiago really the natural successor to Xavi in the Barcelona squad?
- Thiago has high quality passing game , like Xavi. I would think that his reading of the game will grow more and more over the years. In addition, he is stronger and faster than Xavi, as he has great advantages there. In my eyes he is the perfect successor. The technique is sublimely, and if he becomes colder out there, so he probably freeze solid in the grass. MEANING HE'S COOL AS ICE.
- The weakness is probably that he sometimes plays on excessive risk, which leads to fracture and break in at the defensive half.
If he ends in the United - think Thiago is a success?
- He's guaranteed a success. I find it hard to imagine anything else. Skills of Thiago got a taste of the summer's Under-21 Championship, where he was named the tournament's best player. He has already been highly appreciated by the Barcelona fans and that he at all is rumored away has come as a great shock to most.
For United fans - you will think that he is the best in Carrick's role as a central midfielder or more offensively?
- He has qualities of both offensively and defensively on the field. I think he is as good middle as he is an aggressive, forward midfield position. He has by and large replaced Xavi when he has been unavailable, which I think suits him very well.
There is a release clause at less than 20 million euros. What do you think his value is?
- Looking at the pricing of similar players such as Neymar, I think he is worth around £45-55 million. I probably would not let him for a penny less.
- It's just a shame that the clause in his contract is like that as it is, meaning that we can lose one of our greatest talents since Messi on the cheap. It is simply sad and evidence of weak leadership, without me to speculate too much into it. Real value is one thing, but it is the market and what other teams are willing to pay that must be the basis for the valuation here. Had I been the manager for United and Thiago had not had the clause, so I had easily taken him for twice if possible. He's that good.
I did wonder!