Thiago Alcantara Can't Be Blamed If He Moves to Manchester United

Ask yourself, if you were in Thiago Alcantara's cleats, what would you do?

Option A: Stay at Barcelona with no guarantee of regular playing time.

Option B: Move to Manchester United with a guarantee of regular playing time and a better wage.

Case. Closed.

Paul Clennam of Goal.com reported on Sunday that United is prepared to triple the 22-year-old's salary to £120,000 per week if he completes his move from Barca. The club is reportedly confident that it will land the midfielder for £15.4 million. His exit clause plummeted from £76.9 million to £15.4 million after he didn't appear in the stipulated amount of minutes in 2012-13.

Alcantara is not just any player. The 22-year-old has been called the next Xavi while, well playing behind Xavi, as well as Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. His ball skills are outstanding, and he's displayed the composure and vision to be a star.

So when Alcantara made just 15 starts last season at Barcelona (he was used as a substitute for 12 games), the club should have known it would be in danger of losing the talented youngster, especially with Alcantara's exit clause dropping.

Barca fans may blast Alcantara if he decides to leave (as die-hard fans are known to do), but this isn't Robin van Persie we are talking about. Alcantara has never said it was "Barcelona or bust." He hasn't made any promises and you can't expect him to be faithful to Barca when the club doesn't favor him over Xavi, Iniesta or Fabregas. He's a young player who needs time on the pitch now to grow by leaps and bounds, and he's not being afforded that at Barca.

Alcantara is too talented to make 15 starts per year, even in a league as dynamic as the Premier League. It's not just about the increase in wage for Alcantara, it's about getting the opportunity to show what he can do.

Barcelona dug its own grave when it didn't play the 22-year-old enough last season.