RIVA DEL GARDA, ITALY (AFP) - Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola on Thursday confirmed the European champions' interest in Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

Spanish media had already linked the 22-year-old Alcantara to the German giants, and ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola has admitted he has asked his club to sign the midfielder.

He said: "I know him very, very well. He's a great player and can cover three, four, five positions. I have talked to (chairman Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge and (director of sport Matthias) Sammer, we will have to wait and see. Thiago is the only player I want, it will be him or no one.

Both Manchester United and Real Madrid have been linked to Alcantara, who has a market value of around 20 million euros (S$33 million). He recently captained the Spain Under-21s to the European title and was voted player of the tournament.