Manchester United Transfer News: Fresh Thomas Muller Bid, Angel Di Maria Latest

Manchester United have made a momentous €100 million (£70 million) bid to sign Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, according to German outlet Bild (h/t Jamie Jackson of the Guardian).  

Although this offer was previously denied by Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News earlier in the week, Jackson's report suggests the bid stands as of Wednesday.

Muller worked with United boss Louis van Gaal during the Dutchman's tenure at the Allianz Arena and could be lined up as a replacement for Angel Di Maria, who continues to be linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, per Le Parisien (h/t Jonathan Johnson of B/R UK):

Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph believes United are eyeing a fee "close" to the £59.7 million they paid for Di Maria last summer if the Argentinian is to depart. Ogden suggests "at least" £45 million will be exchanged if business goes ahead.

Van Gaal previously refused to deny United officials met their PSG counterparts over a transfer, per talkSPORT: "I cannot answer that. It is a process. When we think we have to say something, we will."

Muller will be a more than adequate alternative if he can be plucked from Bayern's squad. He netted 13 goals and assisted on 10 en route to the Bundesliga title last season, per WhoScored.com, and he is well-versed in the ways of winning trophies for both club and country. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

However, Bayern officials appear adamant the versatile German won't follow Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bavaria to Old Trafford. Alex Shaw of ESPN FC provided comments from Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge:

Ludwig Kogl, Muller's agent, refused to get involved, as reported by Bild (via Jackson): "I do not want to participate. Thomas plays for Bayern and has a contract with Bayern."

Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Muller's pedigree and career-long record of scoring goals means he ranks among the most expensive targets United can chase. Van Gaal likes to stick with players he trusts—having previously worked with Schweinsteiger, Daley Blind and Memphis Depay before signing them for United—so the move makes sense. 

Wayne Rooney is currently the club's only proven source of goals. The Englishman is often a confidence player in the opposition's box and is prone to quiet spells, so a world-class back-up is needed. Muller can play through the middle, on either flank or across the midfield, so he would provide Van Gaal with vast tactical options.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe believes United should target Robert Lewandowski, Muller's team-mate, instead:

A £70 million commitment to Muller would rank among the transfers of the summer. United are trying to reassert themselves not only as a top Premier League contender but back among the elite European sides. Landing a player of Muller's reputation would be a huge step.

Van Gaal's squad is coming together ahead of his second season in charge. He achieved the minimal target of gaining Champions League football last term, but with big money and even larger expectations following the squad, Van Gaal has little room for failure next year.