Bastian Schweinsteiger made it clear that he wanted to leave Bayern Munich, ahead of his announced move to Manchester United on a reported three year deal.
United and Bayern both announced the seismic transfer on Saturday afternoon after weeks of speculation, and it has been confirmed by various sources that the World Cup winning midfielder made it clear to the German Champions that he wanted to leave.
Once United’s interest became public knowledge, and it equally became known that Bayern considered the star man someone they could let go, Schweinsteiger decided he wished to move to Old Trafford.
In a press conference this afternoon, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge said, “It’s regrettable because Bastian meant a great deal to the club. He achieved great things but he wants to do something new at the end of his career. He asked that we meet his wishes. We tried to convince him to stay with Bayern Munich. But I also understand that a player who has spent 17 years at Bayern Munich still wants to gain a new experience.”
United’s own official statement was typically short – confirming the signing subject to a medical – but it is expected that the formalities are all agreed and the player should travel with his new team-mates to America on Monday.
News broke late on Friday night that the midfielder – who has played 500 times for his boyhood club – had agreed to move to Old Trafford, and the speculation spread quickly ahead of the official announcements earlier today.
Schweinsteiger has won eight league titles at Bayern and won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, before being named international captain later that year. He will become United’s second or third signing of the summer depending on how soon the club complete the signing of Matteo Darmian.
More information on the transfer will follow after more developments.
