Man Utd look to German ‘keeper Neuer: report

Schalke 04’s German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is being courted by Manchester United as they look to eventually replace Edwin van der Sar, according to a report citing the player’s agent Wednesday.

German weekly Sport Bild quoted Neuer’s agent, Thomas Kroth, as saying: “We know Manchester United are interested in Neuer.

“Manuel would also like to play with a team that has a better international level.”

The 23-year-old Neuer, who has played twice for Germany, has been Schalke’s number one keeper since the autumn of 2007 and his current deal with the Bundelisga side expires in 2012.

Although Schalke rebuffed previous offers to sell him, notably one emanating from Bayern Munich, the club are currently in the financial doldrums.

Neuer is said to be valued at 13 million euros, and his transfer would go part way to alleviating their current crisis.

Van der Sar, 39, missed the first 12 matches of United’s 2009-2010 campaign with a finger injury and could decide to hang up his gloves at the end of the season.