Manchester United are interested in making Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger their second signing of the summer, according to Sky Sports.
Schweinsteiger has emerged as a serious target for United boss Louis van Gaal and the Dutchman is confident he can convince the 30-year-old to swap the Allianz Arena for the Old Trafford.
The pair worked together during Van Gaal’s two-year stint in charge of Bayern from 2009-2011 and it’s understood the Germany international has opened up to the idea of reuniting with his former coach in the Premier League.
Van Gaal wants to strengthen his options in central midfield and has identified Schweinsteiger as a player in a similar ball-playing mould to Michael Carrick, whom United sorely missed during an injury hit campaign.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has championed the move, telling The Sunday Mirror: “Schweinsteiger needs a coach who will play him according to his strengths, and Van Gaal will do that.”
Reports on Sunday suggested United were close to completing a £7.5 million deal for Schweinsteiger after Van Gaal instructed United’s transfer negotiator, Ed Woodward, to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams.
Should he make the move to England it would end the midfielder’s 17-year association with Bayern, having joined the club in 1998 and gone on to play 500 times for the German giants and winning eight Bundesliga titles.
However, he made just 15 league appearances last season and doesn’t appear to have a prominent role in Pep Guardiola’s plans moving forward.