Manchester United are on the verge of winning the race for Morgan Schneiderlin, with reports claiming he has agreed personal terms with the club.
Louis van Gaal has identified a new midfielder to add to his first team plans ahead of the new season, and Schneiderlin has emerged as one of the best talents in the Premier League. The 25-year-old joined Southampton, then of the Championship, for £1.2million in the summer of 2008, and has gone on to establish himself as a key part of their ever-improving side.
However, it has become increasingly clear in recent times that the Saints have a battle to retain the services of the former Strasbourg youngster, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur long-term admirers. United’s interest has developed over the past few months, and it now appears as though the Old Trafford giants will pip their London rivals to his signature.
L’Equipe claim the France international has already agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with the Reds, whilst the Daily Star reports that the two clubs are close to agreeing a transfer fee which is expected to be between £20million and £25million. If true, this could bring an end to van Gaal’s ambitious pursuit of Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Bayern Munich ace.
Schneiderlin would become United’s second signing of the summer, following the earlier addition of Holland international Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven. A top defender is likely to be the next target, with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund on the wanted list, and such developments are welcomed by captain Wayne Rooney.
“I honestly believe we will go far next year and won’t be far off challenging for the league,” the forward told the official club website. “With a couple of signings in the summer we will have a good chance of doing that. It would be good to win as many cups as possible. A club like Manchester United should be winning trophies and hopefully next season we can put that right.”
