Man United Close In on Solid £13m Van der Sar Replacement Neuer

German international top of Sir Alex’s wishlist.

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Manchester United are interested in Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, according to the player’s agent.

The 23-year-old Germany international is under contract with the Royal Blues until 2012.

Neuer’s agent Thomas Kroth was quoted by Sport Bild as saying: “I have heard of interest from Manchester United, we know about that.”

Schalke last month received a much-needed financial injection after the city of Gelsenkirchen agreed to a 25.5million euro investment in the club by its own energy service provider GEW.

Schalke’s chairman Clemens Tonnies said at the time the funds would be enough to see the financially-troubled club through to the end of the season.

The windfall is also thought to have alleviated the possible need for the sale of star players such as Neuer, but a sizeable bid could force their hand (Independent)

With Edwin Van der Sar not getting any younger and Ben Foster not getting any better, the race to find a suitably talented goalkeeper to take over from the veteran Dutchman continues apace. With that in mind Sir Alex is being strongly linked with a move for German international Manuel Neuer who is a very good goalkeeper who may well be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

Regardless of the improvement in financial terms at the Bundesliga club, Schalke will do well to persuade their giant keeper to turn down any such move should Man United go all in and make a concrete offer for the 23 year old. Having spent his entire playing career at the German club, with just a German League Cup medal to show for his efforts, it will be incredibly hard to stand in the talented goalie’s way should a team of United’s caliber come calling.

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