Transfer talk: Manchester United’s bid for German World Cup star handed huge boost

Pep Guardiola has given Manchester United target Bastian Schweinsteiger the freedom to decide his own future.

German magazine Kicker are claiming that Louis van Gaal is interested in snapping up the World Cup winner, having already managed Schweinsteiger during his time at the Allianz Arena. United are reportedly lining up a £10m bid for the midfielder and Guardiola revealed he will let the player decide his own fate, although he believes he will still be a Bayenr Munich player next season.

"My plan for next season is that Bastian Schweinsteiger is here." "Schweinsteiger is an outstanding legend of Bayern Munich. He has to decide – not Pep, not [CEO] Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. If he wants to stay for three or four more years here, he can do that."

Liverpool are looking to bolster their attack this summer and are readying a bid for Mario Mandzukic to do just that, according to the Metro. Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema are a couple of the names that have been linked with a move to Anfield, but reports from Spain are saying the Reds are preparing a £36million deal for Atletico Madrid's Mandzukic. The Croatian has notched up 20 goals in his debut campaign at Atletico but has fallen out with manager Diego Simeone, leaving his future at the club up in the air. Stop the presses, Arsene Wenger is keeping close tabs on two starlets from the French top flight. The Arsenal boss has reportedly sent his scouts to check out Lyon's sharpshooters Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir. The duo have been in stellar form in Ligue 1 this season, notching up an incredible 39 goals between them, 27 of which belong to league top scorer Lacazette. According to the Daily Star, the Gunners are willing to splash upwards of £60m on a deal for both players, who are in high stock after Lacazette was crowned Ligue 1's Player of the Year and Fekir nailed down a regular place in the starting line up. Irish goalkeeper Darren Randolph has opted not to sign the new contract with Birmingham City. Randolph had established himself as a first team regular for the Blues, having made 92 appearance since joining the side in 2013. However, after months of negotiations, the shot-stopper has decided to take his chances as a free agent. It is expected he will join a Premier League club, with West Ham thought to be the likely destination.   https://twitter.com/BCFC/status/601794824157667329