Rumour: Manchester United make Bastian Schweinsteiger their top transfer target

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Manchester United have made Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger their top target for this summer’s transfer window, according to The Independent. While the Independent also report that the player is open to moving to the Manchester outfit.

United are in dire need of midfielders, and new manager Louis van Gaal has identified the Germany international as someone who can add technical quality and a physical presence in the middle of the park. Manchester United were interested in Schweinsteiger’s Bayern and Germany teammate Toni Kroos under David Moyes, but van Gaal has made it clear that the 29-year-old is the player he wants to bring in.

Schweinsteiger is believed to be open to the move, despite United’s failure to secure Champions League football, largely as a result of his relationship with van Gaal. It was van Gaal who first moved the 29-year-old to central midfield from a wide role during his time at Bayern, where he developed into one of the best players in Europe.

The Germany international would reportedly cost £25 million. He has been a fixture in the Bayern team for years, but Pep Guardiola feels that he doesn’t move the ball fast enough for the style he is trying to impose on the Bundesliga champions.

Another of Schweinsteiger’s colleagues, Thomas Muller, had been linked with a move to Old Trafford, though Muller has now signed a new contract at Bayern, which will only intensify United’s pursuit of the midfielder.

Schweinsteiger completed 89% of his passes last season.