Manchester United appeared to have a deal to sign midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin sewn up, with reports that they had agreed terms with the French star.
It was claimed that United were in the process of agreeing a fee with Southampton to complete the deal but things have gone quiet after a bid of £20m was rejected by the south coast club.
Many papers claimed that Southampton were holding out for £25m from United, leaving United fans baffled as to why the club had started negotiations so low.
But today The Guardian are reporting that Southampton value Schneiderlin at a whopping £27m, meaning United were £7m short of Southampton’s estimation.
Having already dismissed Manchester United’s opening bid as ‘not serious’, manager Ronald Koeman had further words about United’s move for his star midfielder, in essence saying that United can have hm but only if they are willing to pay the price the Saints have set:
“Last season we sold some players, and if there is interest in Morgan then OK. But it has to be at the price the club wants. He is one of the key players or our team, an international player. And I don’t think is a problem for Manchester United.”
He later added:
“We know the situation now. There is a lot of interest in the player. With a club like United, we know it’s difficult to keep the player. But if they pay, then OK, we can make the transfer.”
£27m for Schneiderlin does seem excessive, and is likely the only stumbling block in the 25 year old’s move to Old Trafford.
United seem unlikely to be held to ransom and will perhaps turn their attention elsewhere, to Southampton’s delight, if they can’t get Koeman’s club to lower their asking price.
Southampton looking for a sucker deal. Man utd should move to another candidate. If the player is interested in move then he should submit a transfer request rather than be a coward on the sidelines.
Feel that there a many more capable talents to take his role. Bayern and psg have surplus def midfielders.
Agreed,
Love to see him at ManU but there has been too much time lag. Woodward should have slapped this down a month ago. Tried to get him on the cheap and now they’re gonna make him pay cause they think they got ManU by the Yingyang
Unbelievable. Last year Utd paid close to 30mil for Shaw, who is still learning the game and nowhere near his potential yet, but they are unwilling to pay 27mil for a proven defensive midfielder who will be a fixture in the team every week, not in and out of it like Shaw. There are no other players at comparable prices and certainly no others with PL experience. Pay the price Woodward before he’s lost.
Agreed, after all, Fellaini cost £27.5m
Jodie Clasie and An argentinian defensive midfielder who plays for Lazio are cheap than this guy who has been at saints for past 3 season and we did nt knw him.move on man utd pls
man united sucks..so the club prefer paying £40m for Sergio Ramos whose already old than to Morgan??
AGREED United need this man! What is an extra 7 million to United?…Get it DONE!