Manchester United step up interest in German ‘keeper

The chief executive of Bundesliga club Schalke, Clemens Toennies, has confirmed that Manchester United have expressed an interest in goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

With Edwin Van der Sar set to retire in the summer, United are in the market for a top-class netminder, with Lyon ‘keeper Hugo Lloris and Atletico Madrid David De Gea also linked with a switch to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils snapped up Danish 'keeper Anders Lindegaard in January, but he is viewed as one for the future and will most likely serve as a replacement 'keeper to whoever succeeds Van der Sar on a long term basis.

United have had a long-standing interest in Neuer, but according to Toennies, have stepped up their interest with a view to making a bid for the 24-year old in the summer.

"An international agent contacted me and expressed Manchester United's interest in Neuer," Toennies told German newspaper Bild.

"If and when there is a written request from Manchester then we will deal with it."

Schalke are struggling financially and although Neuer is under contract at the club until the end of next season, they may decide to cash in on their most prized asset at the end of this campaign.

Neuer is the current captain of Schalke and has firmly established himself as the German number one. He has 16 caps for the national side and played in every game during the World Cup last summer, apart from the third-fourth placed play off against Uruguay.