Chelsea could hijack Manchester United bid for £25m Germany star

Manchester United’s hope of recruiting Bayern Munich stalwart Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer could hinge on whether Chelsea rekindle their interest in the Germany midfielder.

The 29-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena in recent months amid rumours that the player has fallen out with current Die Roten manager Pep Guardiola and could be sold this summer.

Guardiola has garnered a reputation as something of a tough customer in the past having previously frozen star signing Zlatan Ibahimovic out of proceedings at previous club Barcelona after clashing with the temperamental Swede.

And if Schweinsteiger is getting the same cold shoulder treatment then a move away from Munich looks increasingly likely with a number of Premier League suitors already throwing their hat into the ring.

Manchester United are chief among these interested parties, with the Red Devils likely to miss out on teammate and alternative target Toni Kroos who appears to be on his way to Real Madrid.

The 29-year-old could favour a move to Old Trafford and the chance to link up with former manager Louis van Gaal, the manager who helped Schweinsteiger establish himself as a mainstay of the Bavarians’ first XI during his two-season spell with the club.

But that viewpoint could well change if Chelsea re-enter the race to sign the German, who was also linked with a Stamford Bridge transfer as Jose Mourinho aims to improve on the Blues’ third-place finish in the Premier League last season.

The Londoners have already recruited Cesc Fabregas but would undoubtedly be open to the idea of bringing Schweinsteiger to the club as they aim to compete both domestically and in Europe.

And should Chelsea enter the race to recruit Die Mannschaft star then it could be an offer too good for the 29-year-old to refuse with the Blues able to offer Champions League football.

In the meantime, Schweinsteiger has a World Cup semi-final to contend with – impress further in Brazil and it could be more than just Chelsea and Manchester United battling for the midfielder.

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