Manchester United plotting £60m swoop for Thomas Muller after agreeing RVP sale

Posted Friday, July 10, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANCHESTER UNITED will step up their bid to sign Thomas Muller after agreeing to sell Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce.

United have agreed a £4.7m fee with the Turkish giants for Van Persie, who has been told he can leave Old Trafford.

The Holland hitman will travel to Turkey this weekend to complete his medical after agreeing a four-year-deal worth £200,000-a-week.

Starsport revealed in April that United bosses would sell Van Persie, but his departure has left boss Louis van Gaal short of attacking firepower.

On-loan flop Radamel Falcao was sent back to Monaco before he joined Chelsea, Danny Welbeck was sold to Arsenal last season and Javier Hernandez has returned from a loan spell at Real Madrid but is recovering from a broken collarbone.

It is understood United are now poised to make a move for German ace Muller in the hope of luring the World Cup star to Old Trafford.

Manchester United plotting £60m swoop for Thomas Muller after agreeing RVP sale
WANTED: Manchester United are ready to make a £60m swoop for Thomas Muller

Bayern Munich will be reluctant to sell Muller, but United chief executive Ed Woodward remains confident of landing him in a £60m deal.

Van Gaal has just Wayne Rooney and teenage rookie James Wilson at his disposal and knows he needs to sign at least one proven forward to help United challenge for trophies next season.

The Dutchman is also keen on England star Harry Kane, Edison Cavani at Paris Saint Germain and Lyon sensation Alexandre Lacazette.

But Muller has proved himself at the highest level to win the game's biggest honours and remains Van Gaal's No.1 choice.

Muller admitted last week he was flattered by United's interest in him and could be tempted to join them if Van Gaal's men are willing to meet his wage demands.

Van Gaal is not afraid to splash the cash and has already spent £25m on Holland sensation Memphis Depay.

United are also expected to complete the £13m signing of Italian international Matteo Darmian from Torino in the next 48 hours.

Van Gaal is also confident of landing French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton in a deal that will cost United almost £30m.

He wants to complete Schneiderlin's signing before his squad travel to America at the start of next week for their pre-season tour.

Landing Schneiderlin will end Van Gaal's interest in Bayern legend Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is now expected to remain with the German champions, despite being interested in moving to the Premier League.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "I have spoken to Bastian on the phone while we have been on holiday and will speak again now that he is back.

"I cannot deny the fact that I have understood during these conversations that he is flattered by the interest from England."

Van Persie, 31, decided to leave United after Van Gaal made it clear he was no longer guaranteed a regular starting place ahead of next summer's European Championships in France.