Manchester United have made a massive €100 million bid for Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Müller, according to German TV channel Sport1. Those in the know appear to be treating it as a serious report -- Guardian journalist Raphael Honigstein revealed that the Reds have already had two offers turned down for the German international -- and despite the huge fees and massive names involved, there seems to be fire beneath the transfer rumour smoke.
The Sport1 report states that Louis van Gaal has personally lobbied United director Ed Woodward for this transfer, with United's last bid -- reportedly worth €82m -- rejected by president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The Reds are said to be trying to lure the 25-year-old with the promise of a massive five-year contract -- according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, they could even double his pay packet.
Why it makes sense
When Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, Manchester United spending so much on a ready-made world class talent would have been nigh on unthinkable. However, they've had to play catchup since his departure, and their new willingness to rather liberally splash the cash means they can just about afford any footballer on the planet. €100m is massive figure, but not prohibitively so.
Perhaps the biggest thing this move has going for it -- beyond the obvious financial benefits for Müller himself -- is his link with Van Gaal. The two worked together at Bayern, and United have been linked with a move for the German ever since Van Gaal replaced David Moyes last summer. They know each other well, and back in May Müller said:
"It’s a secret for nobody. Louis van Gaal and I have a relationship that goes beyond that which is normal between a player and a coach."
United have also made it clear that they want a player to beef up their attack after the departures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie. Müller's certainly not a striker in the traditional sense of the word, but he's a brilliantly versatile forward capable of playing anywhere across the width of the field. Even if not deployed as a centre-forward, he'd remain an upgrade anywhere in United's forward line.
Why it doesn't make sense
It's pretty clear that Van Gaal and United are very interested in making this happen; Bayern Munich, however, are probably less eager. They have already upset some of their supporters this summer by allowing veteran midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to leave his boyhood club for the red half of Manchester. They'd probably revolt if another of their star assets was sold too.
There is also some disagreement about whether United have actually made an offer for Müller. The usually reliable Manchester Evening News have unequivocally declared that the reports "have been confirmed as untrue." However, they also state that United are "comfortable" going into the new season with their current attacking options -- amusingly, something directly contradicted by Van Gaal's declaration that United are still in for a striker, albeit "not the striker that the media has written."
Likelihood it happens
It's not hard to imagine Louis van Gaal being interested in Müller, but it's rather harder to imagine Bayern selling a player who's been with them since he was 15 years old. This could become a long-running transfer saga without a satisfactory end for United. 2 out of 10 chance of happening.
This is a post from our transfer rumors section. For news, analysis and more, check out the main SB Nation Soccer page.