Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal puts Bayern Munich midfielder on transfer short-list

The Germany international has been identified as an ideal addition to the squad this summer

Bastian Schweinsteiger (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United are ready to move for Germany international Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer.

Louis van Gaal is understood to have identified the Bayern Munich midfielder is the ideal midfield general to help push Manchester United on next season.

Despite spending £150m last summer, the Old Trafford hierarchy are ready to back the Dutchman in the transfer market again this summer, allowing a move for 30-year-old Schweinsteiger.

With Michael Carrick turning 34 this summer, and the jury still out on Daley Blind, the United boss is concerned he does not have enough cover in front of the back four so he has made a dynamic midfielder his priority.

Schweinsteigerhas won the Bundesliga eight times, lifted the Champions League with Bayern in 2013 and was part of Germany's World Cup winning squad last summer.

The midfielder has made over 300 appearances for the Bavarian club since he joined as a 14-year-old, but his contract expires next summer and talks have reached an impasse.

It's understood the midfielder is on Van Gaal's transfer short-list and the United boss is hoping to sign the player this summer.

Van Gaal used his personal relationship with Memphis Depay to persuade him to sign for United and the 63-year-old hopes that will be the case with Schweinsteiger.

Van Gaal coached the German for two years at Bayern. He converted the 30-year-old from a winger into the defensive midfield position where he plays now, and together the pair won the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal.

Senior sources at United admit Schweinsteiger is more likely to remain at Bayern, but that has not stopped them privately expressing their interest in the Germany skipper.

Additional reporting by PA