Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has reportedly turned down a free transfer to Sporting CP, leaving Leicester City’s move for Adrien Silva in the lurch.
Duncan Castles reports in the Daily Record that veteran German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has refused a move to Portugal. Sporting Lisbon were offered the player on a free transfer by the Red Devils and the Portuguese club were keen on securing the services of the player, but the Bayern Munich legend has turned down the move.
The 32-year-old has rejected the opportunity to play in European competition and has informed Sporting that he intends to stay at Manchester United till January despite Jose Mourinho’s public confirmation that the German will not be in his first-team plans at Old Trafford.
The player was signed by Manchester United last season at the request of Dutch manager Louis van Gaal. However, the player’s debut season was riddled with injuries and fitness issues which curtailed his involvement in the first team to a large extent.
Jose Mourinho’s arrival at the club seems to have made matters worse for the midfield veteran. Even though it is not impossible for the player to feature in the first team under him, Mourinho is likely to promote youth over playing the German international.
Schweinsteiger spoke to the media ahead of his final international game for Germany, reiterating his desire to stay with the Red Devils. The 32-year-old allayed rumours of any personal feuds with Jose Mourinho while maintaining his stance that, given the chance, he could still prove to be a useful player for the club.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly frustrated at the German’s decision to refuse a move to Sporting, despite Manchester United being ready to take a financial hit on their initial investment in the 32-year-old.
Schweinsteiger’s decision could prove to be a major setback for Leicester
Leicester City have been linked with a move to Sporting CP’s box-to-box midfielder Adrien Silva, with the Foxes understood to have offered €25m for the 27-year-old. Adrien had informed the club authorities of his wish to leave for the defending Premier League champions in the summer and was thought to be close to a move.
Sporting CP head-coach Jorge Jesus has reportedly told club authorities to hold on to the player till a like-for-like replacement arrives at the club. With Schweinsteiger reported to be offered on a free transfer, Leicester City were hoping the German’s transfer would help them in their pursuit of Adrien Silva.
But with news emerging that the 32-year-old has rejected the move to Sporting CP, Leicester’s hopes of completing a transfer for the Portuguese international before transfer deadline have taken a massive hit.
It remains to be seen whether Sporting are willing to part with the 27-year-old despite the failure to land a replacement for their midfield general as Leicester look set for a deadline day showdown with the Portuguese club.
Note : It seems Schweinsteiger’s decision has had no effect on Leicester’s pursuit of Adrien Silva as ESPN have reported that the Foxes have met the player’s release clause.
