Manchester United Transfer News: 3rd Thomas Muller Bid Expected, Fresh Rumours

Manchester United continue to be linked with a move for Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller, with the latest reports suggesting the Red Devils will make a third bid, worth £56.7 million, for the attacker.

That’s according to Sport (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro), which claims manager Louis van Gaal remains undeterred in his pursuit of the forward despite having had two offers for the player already turned down this summer. Sanderson wrote that the Germany international is apparently keen on making a move to Old Trafford.

FABRICE COFFRINI/Getty Images

Signing Muller would be a major coup for the Premier League outfit. Here’s a reminder of why he’s rated among the best forwards in European football:

The Germany international could be a huge success for United. Granted, he doesn’t possess the dynamism of Memphis Depay or the power of Wayne Rooney, but Muller is one of the most intelligent players in world football, possessing the cerebral footballing instincts to make key passes and bag vital goals.

AFP/Getty Images

He’d add major quality in an area where the Red Devils are a little short too. After all, aside from Rooney, the Red Devils only have Javier Hernandez and James Wilson as orthodox centre-forward options. Needless to say, Muller would immediately become a key component of Van Gaal’s attacking setup.

Football writer Sam Pilger thinks the Dutchman’s apparent pursuit of the Bayern man is a representation of United’s current dearth of star quality:

But it’s tough to foresee the German champions selling Muller for any price. The Allianz Arena faithful were hugely disappointed to let Bastian Schweinsteiger leave Bavaria for Old Trafford; losing another player synonymous with the club, one who still has his very best years to come, would surely provoke a volatile reaction from the fanbase.

Muller seems to love playing for Bayern anyway, making claims he wants to leave the club a little peculiar. With Schweinsteiger gone, you suspect he will relish the chance to assume the role of this team’s talisman, meaning that the Red Devils are likely to be frustrated in their apparent pursuit.

Lucas Biglia Rumours Dismissed

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Manchester United have no interest in signing Lazio skipper Lucas Biglia this summer despite rumours linking the Red Devils with a move for the midfielder.

That's according to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, who wrote there has been no offer for the Argentina international from Van Gaal. Though “reports in Italy” suggested the Red Devils are keen on Biglia, Malyon said there is unlikely to be a bid made further down the line. Malyon also notes Real Madrid have been linked with a potential transfer.

There’s no denying Biglia would add plenty of qualities to the United midfield. As we can see here courtesy of OptaPaolo, he is a multifaceted player:

But the Red Devils already have plenty of options in the centre of the park. While they are a few shades removed from Biglia, both Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin are also containing players who were drafted in this summer. Van Gaal can also call upon Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind to step into these positions.

JUAN MABROMATA/Getty Images

Biglia, as such, would find it difficult to get a game with United. Given he’s a key man in Stefano Pioli’s effervescent Lazio team, who will play Champions League football in 2015-16, it’d be a major surprise to see him trade in his position of privilege in Rome for a marginalised role in Manchester.