Manchester United and Chelsea have both reportedly made tentative enquiries about Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller. The attacking midfielder enjoyed a superb season for the Bundesliga giants and has taken his excellent form into the World Cup finals where he has already scored three goals, most notably a brace against England.
According to reports in Germany, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and his Premier League counterpart, Chelsea’s Carlo Ancelotti, have both sounded out Bayern Munich intermediaries about the possibility of signing the precocious 20-year-old. For their part, Bayern Munich have allegedly told Muller’s Premier League suitors that the rapidly emerging star would cost in the region of £40 million, but they have no intention of selling.
Germany have perhaps been the surprise package of the World Cup finals thus far, defying the gloomy pre-tournament forecasts to progress to the quarter-finals. Muller, alongside his compatriot Mesut Ozil, have been Joachim Low’s two star players and both were instrumental in their country’s brilliant 4-1 win over Fabio Capello’s England. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson saw Muller at close quarters during their Champions League defeat to Munich, and although the 20-year-old only broke into the first team in 2009, he has since become a mainstay of Luis Van Gaal’s Bundesliga champions. Speculation in Germany suggest the Manchester United supremo is being rivalled by Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, although Muller’s Premier League suitors are likely to be deterred by the player’s lofty valuation.
Manchester United and Chelsea will be afforded a further opportunity to cast their watchful gaze over the Bayern Munich starlet, when Germany face joint World Cup favourites Argentina in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The game will mark Muller’s meteoric rise to prominence as 12-months ago, Muller was playing for the Bayern Munich B side.
Despite being coveted by the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti, Muller will not have endeared himself to English fans, as the reputed Manchester United and Chelsea target was today quoted as saying Fabio Capello’s side was undone by the weight of its own ego.
He told to reporters: “England have so many top stars in their squad that they will always be part and parcel of the international football scene,”
“But there are so many 'alpha males'. It is difficult to have so many 'alpha males' and have them row in the same direction.”
“You don't only need only chiefs, you also need a few Indians.”
“You need people who are ready and willing to do the hard work.”
“It may be a problem with England that players are simply not mentally prepared to go that extra mile for their team-mates.”