Schweinsteiger has just one year remaining on his current Bayern contract and will command a transfer fee in the region of £12 million, with both clubs having now confirmed they have reached an agreement over the 30-year-old midfielder.
United announced on their official website that Schweinsteiger will join subject to an agreement of personal terms and the passing of a medical, while Bayern chief executive Rummenigge revealed that the player has asked to leave.
“Bastian wants to do something new at the end of his career,” the former West Germany striker told reporters. “He asked that we meet his wishes.”
Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich, meanwhile, admitted to being disappointed with his team-mate’s imminent departure, with the 20-year-old saying “it’s a great pity that Schweinsteiger is going to leave.”
United are willing to offer Schweinsteiger a three-year deal and wages of £180,000-a-week, a salary in line with his current earnings at Bayern, as well as a £4m signing-on fee
Louis van Gaal, who coached Schweinsteiger during a successful spell managing the Bundesliga giants, is understood to be the driving force behind the deal as he intensifies his efforts to strengthen a squad that needs bolstering in order to cope with the demands of domestic and European football next season.
Goal understands that certain members of the United hierarchy harbour reservations over the deal, particularly in light of Schweinsteiger’s age and ongoing fitness issues, but Van Gaal is confident his experience and enduring class will be of major benefit to his squad.
The Dutchman has so far been frustrated in his attempts to land Southampton’s midfield enforcer Morgan Schneiderlin with United reluctant to meet the south coast club’s £25m valuation.
Schweinsteiger, however, is not viewed as an alternative to the France international and United remain confident they will secure both players – who will be expected to compete with Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Daley Blind for places in Van Gaal’s starting XI – before the window closes.
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(Nana Kwesi)