Manuel Neuer
Manchester United are close to the signing of Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer , according to a report in the Daily Mail this morning.
Rob Draper writes: "German international Manuel Neuer looks increasingly likely to be the true successor to Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United, with a renewed bid for the Schalke goalkeeper expected next summer, but possibly as soon as January to head off interest from Bayern Munich."
Draper adds: "United’s scouts have been trailing Neuer all season at the Veltins Arena and the Bundesliga side are now expecting to lose him and are holding out for £15million. United are likely to offer about £12m, which would still be a British record for a goalkeeper. Sources at Schalke say United have already made one bid, last summer, which was rebuffed."
Bayern Munich have long been linked with Neuer who is one of the stand-out young goalkeepers in world football and was hugely impressive in the Under-21 European Championship earlier this summer.
Neuer, 6.3ft, has come through the ranks at Schalke where he made his debut during the 2006/2007 season. He is contracted to the Bundesliga side until the end of season 2011/2012.
The left-footed keeper is described by IMScouting’s network of scouts in Germany as "The new upcoming keeper in Germany. Neuer has unbelievable good reflexes, high bravery, great positioning and very good aerial ability - all the crucial components of a world-class goalie."
Video evidence of Neuer in action can be seen below.