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Why Man Utd bidding 'a little bit more' than Liverpool may not be enough to seal transfer
Manchester United could be set to rival Liverpool in the transfer window.
Thiago Alcantara ‘stood out’ in Champions League says pundit
Manchester United could bid a "little bit more" for Liverpool target Thiago Alcantara and still not secure the transfer this summer, according to former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley.
Both of the Premier League powerhouses are monitoring Thiago's situation as he has entered the last 12 months of his contract.
Bayern Munich are considering selling their star for around £27million because they risk losing him for free next year.
Liverpool have been in talks with the Bundesliga and Champions League champions over a potential deal.
But United also registered their interest last week as Ed Woodward looks to close the gap on the Premier League winners.
Bayern are hoping a bidding war hikes up the price but Burley feels Liverpool can stand firm on their valuation and still come out on top.
"At the end of the day if I was Thiago and those two clubs were interested I would go to Liverpool," Burley told ESPN FC.
"If Manchester United bid a little bit more than Liverpool then Thiago still holds most of the cards.
"You don't have to go anywhere unless you want to go. It then becomes a bit of a game of bluff.
"He would be going into a club that is ready-made to go again in the Premier League and Champions League.
"United are trying to get back to that level and are a more difficult sell to the player at the moment."
The Red Devils have not really been scouring the market for a defensive midfielder but Burley has explained why they may try to sign Thiago anyway.
"If you are shipping out others then you take Thiago in a heartbeat," he added.
"When you look at the others they have got in the centre of the park you have got to do the digging role they have got Fred, who can do a bit of everything and got better last year.
"Nemanja Matic, who can't play a full season as he can't get around any more. He hasn't got the legs because of his age.
"Scott McTominay who has signed a new deal. He is a good player but he's not exactly Roy Keane.
"They need somebody in there who can organise and can do a bit of everything; can bite, call people out, be the leader on the field and see the whole picture."