Manchester United are reportedly to improve their offer for Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin after their original bid of £20 million was rejected in their race to sign the Frenchman as soon as possible.
Southampton are eager to complete the deal before they set out on their pre-season tour to Austria and Holland, and United are likewise hoping to sign Schneiderlin before they travel to the United States for their four-game summer tour on 13 July.
Furthermore, Schneiderlin, who has been given the all-clear to leave the club, is believed to be keen to do so.
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has told manager Louis Van Gaal that United must be serious challengers next season, increasing the pressure on the Dutchman to sign world-class players and avoid another poor season.
To strengthen his squad, Van Gaal is looking to sign a midfielder, a right-back, and a striker before the campaign starts on 8 August. So far, his only signing of the summer has been Memphis Depay, and he is increasingly aware that time is running short.
Signing a defensive midfielder such as Schneiderlin could provide United with the talent they are looking for in the centre and strengthen one of their target positions. Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger is also on United’s list of target midfielders, but Schneiderlin looks to be the more likely option.
Southampton are holding out for a fee of around £30 million, but United are confident they can get the 25-year-old for closer to £25 million.
