Manchester United Transfer News: Thomas Muller and Harry Kane Double Blow

Manchester United's hopes of adding a world-class attacker to their ranks in 2016 have suffered a substantial setback following developments in their pursuit of Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller and Harry Kane.

Muller has been linked with a reunion with former Bayern boss Louis van Gaal, but Lothar Matthaus—another figure with ties to the Bundesliga club—has urged the forward to remain in Bavaria for a long, long time, via Uche Amako of the Daily Express:

"

It is not necessary for him to go to Manchester United. Just as Chelsea is not necessary. 

Barcelona perhaps, that may be attractive. But I do not know if their style of play would suit his own. 

My opinion is that he should remain at Bayern for at least a lifetime!

At no other club can he play with the joy and pleasure as he reflects today. He needs no new challenge since Bayern already plays each year at the top.

"

Remaining at the Allianz Arena may be the best possible option for Muller. The club have given him the launching pad to become one of the world's elite, and he's now competing for major honours on an annual basis.

However, United are understood to be seeking a "marquee signing," according to Amako's report, and the 2014 World Cup winner certainly falls in line with that description.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

Muller has scored 140 goals in 325 appearances for Bayern since emerging from their academy seven years ago—a remarkable ratio when considering the player isn't an out-and-out striker.

And yet Muller's progress has fallen in line with one of the most promising era's in Bayern Munich's modern history, which has produced individual accolades as well as team achievements, as shown by Bleacher Report UK:

The Red Devils currently sit two points below Premier League leaders Manchester City and are challenging to progress in the UEFA Champions League under Van Gaal, who managed Muller for two years between 2009 and 2011.

Squawka's Greg Johnson made sure to note Muller's initial propulsion at Bayern came thanks to Van Gaal, one of the few figures who may actually stand a chance of luring him away from Der FCB:

Taking Kane away from White Hart Lane could be equally difficult following reports Tottenham are offering to double their star striker's wages in order to distance him from the exit sign.

Kane currently earns £35,000 a week on a contract that doesn't expire until 2020, but Spurs are willing to hand their academy graduate a new £70,000-a-week deal running until 2021, reports Goal's Greg Stobart.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Manchester United have struggled to produce goals for periods this season due in large part to the faltering form of club captain Wayne Rooney—who has just two goals in 12 Premier League outings.

Kane, on the other hand, has recovered from a slow start to bag seven in his last five league games for the capital outfit, and former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp questions whether he'll soon take Rooney's England spot, via KICCA:

The offer of a new, lucrative deal at White Hart Lane is bound to divert Kane's attention away from the likes of United and Chelsea, with manager Mauricio Pochettino having provided the platform for his first-team breakthrough.

The 22-year-old won't want to see his current progress derailed, especially in the buildup to UEFA Euro 2016, and the promise of a bigger payday at Tottenham merely sweetens the deal in every respect.