Thiago Alcântara has a "good chance" of signing for Manchester United this week for about £17m on a five-year deal, though whether David Moyes can complete the transfer of the Barcelona midfielder before the club fly out on their three-week pre-season tour on Wednesday is unlikely, the Guardian reports.

United appeared to have lost out on Thiago after Barcelona offered the Spain international assurances that he would receive regular game time. But according to a highly placed source it is understood that the chances of Thiago choosing United have been greatly enhanced, with the 22-year-old set to receive much-improved terms on his current £30,000-a-week contract.

If Thiago does decide on United he would be Moyes's first major signing since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson, and be a player who would strengthen the manager's midfield options while adding a dimension to the side's style under the Scot.