Reports: Bayern Munich reject Manchester United's £50 million bid for Thomas Muller
Manchester United have made a bid in the region of £50 million for Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller, The Telegraph reports. However, the German giants have responded by claiming that they have no intention of letting go of the 25-year-old at any price.
United, who had a bid for Muller turned down last summer as well, have been pursuing the German international throughout this season's transfer window. The 20-time Premier League champions are hopeful that manager Louis van Gaal’s close relationship with the forward can persuade Muller to head to Old Trafford.
Muller established himself as a first team member under the Dutchman while he was in his second spell as manager of Bayern Munich and the pair have always talked about the mutual respect they have for each other.
Muller has been with the Bavarians since the age of 11, but it was under the Dutchman’s second reign that he made his debut despite his young age. He has enjoyed tremendous success with Bayern and is considered one of their most important players.
Rumours, however, surfaced about a possible departure from the Allianz Arena after his apparent fallout with Pep Guardiola. The pair have failed to see eye on eye on many occasions since the Spaniard took charge of the then Champions League winners in the summer of 2013.
Muller was substituted 22 times in matches by Guardiola, more than any other player and he had publically let known his frustrations at the decisions on more than one occasion. However, the forward claimed that he was remaining with Bayern, in spite of stating United’s reported interest as a ‘huge honour.”
The rumour mill refused to die down though and reports had emerged in July that United were preparing a £56-million bid for Muller and offer him a salary of £265,000 a week, nearly double of what he earns at Bayern.
Adding fuel to the fire, club captain and close friend Philippe Lahm commented that “Muller leaving Bayern is a possibility.”
Muller not for sale at any price: Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Bayern Munich have responded sharply to the reports and stated that Muller is not for sale at any price. Bastian Schweinsteiger has already made the move from Bayern to United and club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made clear that no further business will take place.
"Muller is not for sale. Our English colleagues seem to be unable to spend all of their money. It's difficult. Everyone knows our old friend Louis van Gaal. He is very stubborn in those things. Maybe he thinks that there is a price where Bayern will start to ruminate, but there is no price at all,” Rummenigge said.
He also emphasised that Bayern were financially well-off and had no reason to sell players.
“As I said because of our partners and our really good financial situation, we are completely resistant,” he said. “There is no price, Thomas Muller has four years more on his contract. There is no one, not here or anywhere, who can explain to me why we should sell Thomas Muller."