Manchester United Transfer News: Bastian Schweinsteiger, David De Gea Rumours

Manchester United will “press forward” in their efforts to sign Bastian Schweinsteiger this week, with reports reiterating that the Bayern Munich midfielder is the top summer target of Louis van Gaal.

That’s according to Tom Dutton of the London Evening Standard, who writes that the Red Devils boss is a massive admirer of the German international. It’s also noted that Schweinsteiger only has one year remaining on his Bayern contract and could be available for a sum as little as £7 million.

Jonathan Northcroft of the Sunday Times thinks that even though the Bayern talisman is a little past his very best, he’d be a tremendous purchase for the Red Devils:

If the fee was indeed £7 million, that’s a tough assessment to argue with. Not only is Schweinsteiger a thoroughbred winner, but he’s still a tremendous midfielder. In addition, he’s a much more natural fit for the dynamic principles instilled by Van Gaal over the meticulous, intricate traits Bayern boss Pep Guardiola demands of his players.

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Dutton claims that despite links with Morgan Schneiderlin, United would still prefer Schweinsteiger. Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at which player would be the better fit for the Red Devils:

It’s an area which United definitely need replenishment. Michael Carrick is a fine holding midfielder, but his perennial injury problems and advancing years mean that he can’t be relied on to fill this role for the entirety of the campaign. So it’s no surprise United are looking at players in the mode of Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger.

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Indeed, as noted here by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, it may not even be a case of one or the other either:

Getting in both would be a major statement of intent from United and the prospect of the pair holding down the Red Devils midfield with their multifaceted talents is a tantalising one for the Old Trafford faithful.

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Schneiderlin would be the more expensive option and has the potential to blossom into a player close to the heights Schweinsteiger scaled at his very best. But in terms of qualities that’ll help Van Gaal’s team back to the summit of English football, there’d be few more appropriate signings than the German.

United Won’t Budge on De Gea Asking Price

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Manchester United would rather see David De Gea walk away on a free transfer next summer than sell for a sum less than their apparent £35 million asking price.

That’s according to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, who writes that the club are willing to play hardball with the Spanish giants over the transfer. However, it is claimed in the piece that the Red Devils may be keen to do a deal if it involves Sergio Ramos heading to Old Trafford.

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James Robson of the Manchester Evening News is encouraged by this show of strength from United in what’s becoming a drawn out transfer saga:

McDonnell claims that Real are only willing to offer £20 million to sign De Gea, who is heading into the final year of his Manchester United contract. It means that if no extension is signed, the Spaniard is free to discuss terms with other clubs from January and that Los Blancos could potentially land him on a free transfer.

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But it seems as though this summer United do have some leverage and, as ESPN FC’s Miguel Delaney notes, the Red Devils squad could end up looking a lot stronger if they play their cards right:

Although De Gea is a tremendous goalkeeper, a £35 million fee for a player with one year remaining on his contract is too much. Indeed, if the Spaniard is to leave, a sum between that benchmark and the £20 million Madrid are willing to pay is probably about right.

But it'd be an almighty shame for United to lose the player, who McDonnell claims is “determined” to make the move, for absolutely nothing. Even though Madrid look as though they hold all the aces in this standoff, the Red Devils could still come out of this situation with a prosperous deal, provided they aren’t over ambitious in their endeavours in the coming weeks.