Manchester United are being encouraged in their bid for Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara. The Mirror says Alcantara's influential ex-Brazil international dad Mazinho thinks he should join United ahead of City, Bayern Munich and latecomers Chelsea this week.

And the Spain Under-21 skipper's gifted young brother Rafinha is also heading for the Premier League from Barca on loan - making a move to England more appealing.

Now the plan is for the family to relocate to the north-west, where they can all live together.