Schneiderlin on the verge of £25 million move to Man United

Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin is on the verge of completing a £25 million move to Manchester United.

In recent months, the 25-year-old has been tracked by Arsenal and Tottenham, but it appears United have won the race to sign the talented France international.

Prior to leaving on holiday, United manager Louis van Gaal emphasized the importance of signing a defensive midfielder this summer in order to lighten the load on 33-year-old Michael Carrick.

“No. 6 is a key player,” Van Gaal said before taking his summer break in Portugal.

“I have more key roles, the No.6 is just one of those key roles. You have seen this season, for example, because Michael Carrick is injured and I don’t have another, I have to play Ander Herrera there. He did very well, but it is not his specialty.

“I have played Wayne Rooney there also, but it is not his favored position. I had to do this because I don’t have another right-footed holding midfielder like Carrick.

“That is why it is a key role, but I cannot discuss other positions because then I show too much.”

It is now understood United are on the verge of completing a deal for Schneiderlin, with the club’s intention to officially announce the signing before it departs for its US tour.

Should the deal go through as expected, it would bring an end to the transfer saga which has surrounded the midfielder, and has dragged on for close to a calendar year.

Last summer, amid a flurry of transfer departures from the club, Southampton refused to allow Schneiderlin to leave despite the midfielder’s desire to ply his trade alongside Europe’s elite teams.

At the time, Schneiderlin and club officials held face to face meetings only for the player to be told he would not be allowed to leave St Mary’s Park.

Shortly after those discussions were held the France international took to his Twitter account to vent his frustrations. The midfielder tweeted: “6 Years of an amazing journey #saintsfc DESTROYED in 1 hour !!!”

In March, the 25-year-old reiterated his desire to leave Southampton and revealed his desire to play Champions League football with a Premier League side next season.

“I think my decision is made,” Schneiderlin said. “I learned a lot last season.

“The goal is to stay in England. It is a championship that I like and where I have a lot of fun. If I leave Southampton, it is for a club that plays better than the Europa League.

“There are ongoing discussions but nothing is done. But of course the Champions League is my goal. If I leave Southampton it will be for a club in the Champions League.

“I have a two-year contract. If a club pays the right amount for me, it will be time to leave. The amount? I have no idea but I will not leave for a small price. Southampton is known to be a good seller club, the price should be high enough.”

Schneiderlin missed the last four games of the season with a knee ligament injury. However, the midfielder will be fully fit in time for the start of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign.