The overriding sense of momentum that built up last week in the Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United rumours, suggested that we could have seen a move completed sometime this week. However, there was little progress to be made, as Southampton reportedly rejected a £20 million bid, which was made more than ten days ago, from the Old Trafford outfit. More frustrating was the fact that it appeared, according to reports that Louis van Gaal had not followed up the interest in the French midfielder with a second bid, making most Manchester United fans perplexed as to the eventual outcome of the deal.
However, there is finally an update on the situation from The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson. According to him, Manchester United will indeed follow-up their initial bid of £20 million with a second offer potentially rising up to £25 million, which had been the suggested asking price Southampton were likely to demand according to multiple outlets. However, Jamie reveals that Southampton’s asking price is actually £30 million so there is definitely a difference in the valuation of the player by the two clubs which is making transfer negotiations difficult at present.
The report also adds that Van Gaal wants to add the 25-year-old to his squad before flying out for the pre-season tour to the United States on the 13th July. It has also been suggested that Schneiderlin could consider direct action should his current club continue to resist attempts to prize him away.
Meanwhile, the Saints seek a quick decision on the Schneiderlin transfer from Manchester United as the club themselves prepare to fly out to Austria for their pre-season tour next week.
There is no question about the fact that the Frenchman wants to leave Southampton after a stellar seven years. There was much speculation last summer about his future, with a move to Tottenham very much in the offing. The Saints had also shown a willingness to part with several first-team players in the likes of Lallana, Lambert, Shaw, Lovren and Chambers. However, Schneiderlin was not allowed to leave which prompted the player to tweet:
The player, however, buckled down eventually, and produced a stunning season that allowed Southampton to creep into the European spots. Arsenal and Tottenham were reported to be interested in the Frenchman again this summer. However, Arsene Wenger dropped his interest after seeing the rise of Francis Coquelin (and being put off by the asking fee) while Schneiderlin is only considering a move to a club that plays in the Champions League, hence, ruling out Spurs. The two clubs also do not want to get into a bidding war with the Premier League’s richest club, Manchester United.
The 25-year-old could be a brilliant acquisition from Van Gaal and add much-needed steel and energy in the center of the park particularly in the defensive midfield role. A strong tackler, excellent reader of the game, and an able passer, the Frenchman would prove to be a perfect long-term replacement for Michael Carrick who is now heading towards the end of his career at the age of 34. Schneiderlin also has a bit of a goal threat, having scored four goals in the Premier League last season (according to Squawka). And while it was initially thought that Van Gaal would prefer German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in the role, it appears that Van Gaal has decided to pursue Schneiderlin independent of any moves for the Bayern Munich man.
Meanwhile, Jamie Jackson also reports that Seamus Coleman is a target for the right-back berth after Van Gaal rejected new Liverpool recruit Nathaniel Clyne, for the role.