Manchester United have bolstered their options in midfield by completing the signing of prolific midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich on Saturday, Sports Courant reported.
It is understood that the German club agreed to a bid of around £15m for the midfielder who is also entitled to receive £140,000 a week in wages for next three years.
Schweinsteiger, one of most praised footballers in Europe, is expected to complete the medical and other formalities before Louis van Gaal’s men depart for a pre-season trip to The United States on Monday afternoon.
The Old Trafford club announced on Saturday that they had reached an agreement with German counterparts to sign on of their top transfer targets through a statement published on club’s official website.
Bayern’s chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also confirmed the high-profile departure at a press conference called to unveil club’s summer signings.
“Schweinsteiger just wants to do something new at the end of his career … Bastian was an extremely deserving player for us. He has done great things. I can only wish him all the best with what will be an interesting task.”
Bastian’s arrival at Old Trafford would mean a major coup for the Red Devils, who have been in the transfer market to purchase few world-class players this summer as they look to start the next season as serious title challengers.
The move would see the veteran World Cup winner, who has spent his whole career at Bayern, link up with manager Louis van Gaal for the second time in career.
The Germany international, who had only a year left on his Bayern contract, played under Van Gaal at Allianz Arena between 2009 and 2011, where both of them enjoyed a strong working relationship.
The Dutch boss has pursued the Germany international for the past two summers and was keen on signing him this time as well to rock a midfield that relies heavily on Daley Blind and Michael Carrick.
Joachim Low, Germany’s national team coach has backed Schweinsteiger to thrive in English top flight following confirmation of a deal with Bayern Munich
“Basti is an absolute leader and world-class player who can put his stamp on any team, including of course Manchester United,” he told the German Football Association’s (DFB) official website.
Schweinsteiger, the veteran of 111 appearances for Germany including the final of FIFA World Cup 2014, appears all set to become United’s second summer signing following the £25million arrival of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven.
