Manchester United have made Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin a primary summer transfer target, with Louis van Gaal a fan of the French international.
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Manchester United rumours
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Red Devils have made the signing of the Saints star one of their key ambitions ahead of the summer as they look to reinforce their midfield options.
Michael Carrick will be 34 by the time the 2015-16 begins, and cannot be expected to continue to have the same impact on matches and influence over contests that he has in recent years. Ander Herrera has demonstrated some improvement over the last 12 months, but Daley Blind has struggled due to a certain uncertainty over his best position and ideal role for United.
Thus, several central midfielders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Bastian Schweinsteiger of Bayern Munich has been linked with a switch to Manchester [via MEN], and van Gaal is believed to retain interest in the World Cup winner, while Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has also been linked to the club [Express].
However, the MEN believe that the club have now made the 25-year-old Saint their preferred signing to bolster the heart of the midfield.
The 25-year-old Schneiderlin was keen to leave St. Mary’s last summer [Telegraph], with Arsenal believed to be keen on the player [Mirror].
However, while the south-coast club allowed the likes of Luke Shaw, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana to depart, the former Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace midfielder was not allowed to leage.
Despite being under contract until 2017, the player has made little secret of his desire to ply his trade on a bigger stage [Goal].
This summer, after another season of fine service, Schneiderlin may well get his wish.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with the defensive-minded player, although their sustained interest in William Carvalho [Mirror] and Victor Wanyama [ESPN], as well as the emergence of Francis Coquelin, suggests that they are now searching for solutions elsewhere.
Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the player [Telegraph], although it remains to be seen whether, in light of interest from United, Schneiderlin would still be keen on a reunion with former boss Mauricio Pochettino at White Hart Lane.