Real Madrid set to land former Barcelona star Thiago Alcantara

The new Real Madrid boss knows the player well.

Real Madrid have approached Bayern Munich to discuss the possible transfer of Thiago Alcantara, and Bayern are willing to negotiate, according to reports. Thiago joined Bayern from Barcelona in 2013 to reunite with Pep Guardiola at the Allianz arena and has stayed there for five seasons. He has overcome injury problems during his time in Germany to become a key component in the Bayern midfield after the departures of Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger. His current contract has three years left before it expires, so Real Madrid would not be able to sign him on the cheap. Real Madrid are keen to sign the playmaker, which could signal that Luka Modrić is nearing a move to Inter Milan. Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui, who took over from Zinedine Zidane in the summer, has worked with Thiago before, both at youth and senior level in the Spanish national team. Lopetegui led a Spain U21 side to European glory in 2013 and Thiago was a key player in the side. A switch to Real would see Alcantra follow in the footsteps of Lopetegui, Luis Figo and Ronaldo as players to have appeared for Barca and their long-time rivals. A move to Madrid for Thiago would mean that Bayern have to sign at least one central midfielder before the transfer window shuts at the end of August, having already sold Arturo Vidal to Barcelona.