AC Milan Interested in Barcelona Midfield Starlet Thiago

Last year, 22-year-old Thiago Alcantara failed to play in 60 percent of the games he was eligible for. As a result, his release clause dropped from a staggering €90 million to just €18 million. This drastic decrease has opened the door to a potential move away from the Camp Nou, with Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United and now AC Milan rumored to be suitors for the prodigious Spaniard.

The release clause decrease lasts only until August 1st, so a transfer (if it were to occur) must be made before that date for risk of incurring Thiago's pharaonic release clause.

Thiago made his debut for Barcelona's senior squad back in 2009, when he was just 18 years old. He was touted as another gem from the famous La Masia academy, and his passing ability prompted pundits to refer to him as the "next Xavi," comparing him to Barcelona's current midfield maestro, Xavi Hernandez.

Since then, Thiago has made 67 league appearances, 26 of them off the bench. During his time at Barca, the midfielder has scored seven goals and provided eight assists in La Liga. Those numbers rise to 13 goals and 12 assists when looking at his 88 appearances in all competitions.

He played in 27 matches, starting in 20, in the 2011-12 season when Pep Guardiola was at the helm but started in just 15 matches this season under Tito Vilanova. La Blaugrana have an incredibly talented midfield corps, and it's very hard to break into the first-team, with names like Cesc Fabregas, Xavi and Andres Iniesta ahead of Thiago on the depth chart (though Guardiola was keen to include Thiago in the squad at the expense of Fabregas).

He's a central midfielder by trade and could fit into Milan's 4-3-3, considering that Barcelona employ a similar formation, though Barca use a "false nine" instead of an out-and-out striker.

Milan's managerial situation remains convoluted, but if coach Massimiliano Allegri stays at the San Siro, he would do well to stick with the 4-3-3. Should the Milan brass part ways with Allegri, odds are the incoming manager will utilize Europe's favored 4-2-3-1, and Thiago looks like he has the skill set to play either as a pivot in the "2" or as one of the formation's three attacking midfielders.

He's a fantastic dribbler, using his sublime control to keep possession. His best attribute is his aforementioned passing ability, which registers at an amazing 92 percent success rate, but he's also a solid contributor on the defensive side of the ball, averaging 1.7 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.

One disconcerting statistic is that he commits 0.8 fouls per game, meaning that he averages almost one foul every two tackles. That's one area where there is clear room for improvement.

Because he's attracted the attention of three other preeminent clubs, it will be very difficult for the Rossoneri to sign Barca's No. 11. Thiago's former manager Guardiola is set to take over Bayern Munich, and the opportunity to link up with him would surely pique Thiago's interest.

Manchester United are a very desirable destination considering the brilliant attacking displays they put on last season, and Manchester City, who look set to be managed by Manuel Pellegrini, are certainly able to tempt Thiago with both prestige and money.

Like the other interested sides, Milan can promise Champions League football next season and have a promising, young side that looks capable of big things in the coming years. One thing that could be in Milan's favor is that Thiago was actually born in Italy, though he was raised in Spain.

A move would coincide with Milan's new transfer philosophy of buying young, gifted players, and €18 million really isn't that much money for a player of Thiago's ability and potential. Adriano Galliani is famous for negotiating cut-price deals, but the shrewd transfer window aficionado doesn't even have to haggle Barcelona down; Thiago's contract did it for him.

Claudio Ranieri's AS Monaco are primed to make a €12 million move for Kevin-Prince Boateng according to Football-Italia (via Calciomercato.com). Milan are said to value Boateng at €15 million, and should the dynamic Ghanaian be sold, the deal would largely finance a move for Thiago.

It should be said that a move to the Rossoneri would be very, very unlikely because of the other clubs interested and the fact that Thiago is widely considered to be Xavi's successor at Barca. Xavi will turn 34 in the middle of next season, and his days of world-class football are sadly dwindling, meaning that more chances should be coming Thiago's way.

Another reason why this move is rather implausible is that Milan has been heavily linked with 23-year-old Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli. Poli is out of contract in 2014 and will likely be sold this summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

His contract situation also means that he can be had on the cheap, most likely for around a third of what Thiago would cost. Poli is the much more realistic transfer target, and Galliani would do well to focus on him rather than the Barca midfielder.

If Thiago is to move away from the Camp Nou, Bayern Munich have to be considered to be the favorites to sign the player because of the presence of Guardiola. Manchester United have also been linked with the player in the past, and former Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini will know all about Thiago from his time in La Liga.

Additionally, if City is to go after a new midfielder this transfer window, it will more likely than not be Isco, who was under the tutelage of Pellegrini at Malaga.

Thiago is a phenomenal talent who has shown the potential to develop into one of the world's best midfielders in the coming years. It's highly improbable that Milan would be able to sign the Spaniard, as staying at Barcelona or making a move to Bayern Munich, Manchester United or Manchester City likely rate as better propositions. But never count out Adriano Galliani.