Manchester United Transfer News: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Victor Valdes Rumours

Manchester United are on the cusp of completing the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich, with reports claiming the midfielder does not want to extend his contract with the German giants.

According to Simon Stone of BBC Sport, while the clubs have yet to agree a fee for the 30-year-old, a deal is “close,” and the Red Devils will offer the World Cup winner a lucrative salary bump for joining.

Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell recently ran the rule over what Schweinsteiger would add to United’s team:

For United it’s definitely a major coup. Although the German is a little past his best and has struggled to nail down a regular first-team spot with Bayern since Pep Guardiola joined, he’s still a world-class player and a thoroughbred winner.

As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports News HQ, Schweinsteiger is one of the most decorated players in the game:

He’s a player that United boss Louis van Gaal knows well too. It was during the Dutchman’s spell at the helm of Bayern that Schweinsteiger started to showcase the qualities needed to become one of the top midfield players around. At Old Trafford his brand of play will enrich a United side that was a little flimsy in the middle of the pitch last season.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

He may be 30 years old, but as noted by Alex Shaw of ESPN, the very best players often find a way to adapt their game:

Indeed, Schweinsteiger still looks in exceptional shape. He’ll not only bring an energy and purpose to United’s engine room, but a skilful range of passing and a thunderous strike from distance.

Schweinsteiger is well acquainted with winning major honours and for a team like United looking to establish themselves back at the summit of English football, those qualities are imperative.

Victor Valdes in Talks With Antalyaspor

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor have revealed they are in talks with United goalkeeper Victor Vales over a proposed deal.

“We are in talks with Victor Valdes,” said the club’s press officer Hasan Ali Ceylan when speaking to Eurosport TR (h/t George Ankers of Goal.com) “Once an agreement is reached, we will be able to sign yet another world star to Antalyaspor.”

Jon Super/Associated Press

The club have been on a major spending spree this summer and if Valdes was to finalise a deal he’d have former Barcelona team-mates Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho for company. But would the Red Devils let him go with rumours circling about United’s current goalkeeper David De Gea signing for Real Madrid, per David Anderson of the Daily Mirror?

Sports writer Serge Adam doesn’t see the move happening:

From Valdes’ point of view it’s an intriguing opportunity. The salary offered by the Turkish side would be a lucrative one, while the chance to link up with former team-mates and play first-team football would surely be alluring.

But the former Barca star is only 33 years old and still has plenty of years left in him at the top level. After all, he was one of the very best goalkeepers in the world at full tilt, as we can see here:

It’s tough to see United letting the Spaniard go, especially with so much uncertainty surrounding De Gea. The goalkeeping slot will be vital if they are to challenge for major honours in 2015-16 and while replacing one stopper would be tough, replacing two would be a major headache for Van Gaal.

Jon Super/Associated Press

It remains to be seen whether or not United would put their faith in Valdes should De Gea leave. If they won’t, there’d be a clear motivation for the goalkeeper wanting to go. Even so, should Valdes be made available for transfer, there’d be plenty of illustrious clubs in the Champions League keen on getting him on board.