Thiago Alcantara has suggested that Barcelona’s inactivity in trying to convince him to stay contributed to his exit this summer to Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old saw his buyout clause at the Camp Nou drop heading into the summer transfer window, having failed to play in a contractually specified number of games.
Heavily linked with Manchester United, it was Pep Guardiola’s new team that eventually picked up the youngster for a €25m fee.
However, as the player has reflected this week, he was willing to listen to Barca’s attempts to make him stay, but he says they did not arrive.
“It is unfair to say that I had no patience at Barcelona, long before the European Under-21 Championships had I been patient,” Thiago told RAC1 this week.
“I have been waiting for some kind of contact from the club, knowing my intentions, and no-one contacted me.
“Everyone looks for themselves, for what may be in their best interests, I wanted to feel valued, to feel competitive and I decided to leave the club and Bayern came calling.
“Every footballer wants to play football. The club did little for me to stay and so here I am.
“All summer I had a lot of patience and was waiting, but there comes a time when you cannot wait and have to decide.
“Would I ever return? I can never close the door to a club like Barca, which has been my home for many years.”
One of Thiago’s first appearances this preseason for the Germans was against Barcelona.
“Playing against my former teammates was weird, because we had been playing together for eight years and had eight years of friendship.
“We can never lose that friendship. It was a beautiful experience.
“The game? Never would either team not want to try and win the game, even as a friendly. Both Barca and Bayern wanted to win.
“The adaptation here is going well. This is a beautiful city. The people at the club have made everything so much easier, the team has been fantastic, with great players, and from the first moment I have been welcomed with open arms.
“You cannot imagine how big this club is. I cam here to be able to train, knowing that I can earn my place. My role is to be one of the squad.”
Thiago had words of support for former Coach Tito Vilanova, who days after his exit had to stand down from his role due to ill health.
“There are situations in life that put the game in the background. Everyone wishes the best for Tito and that he has a speedy recovery.”
