Manuel Neuer target spells trouble for
England keeper Ben Foster
In demand: United are tracking Manuel
Neuer
Ben Foster's assumed position as the natural replacement
to Edwin van der Sar is under threat as Manchester United gather
further intelligence on German prodigy Manuel Neuer.
United had an initial inquiry for the goalkeeper turned down
last summer, with Schalke holding out for £15million for Neuer,
23.
Currently the No3 keeper in the Germany squad, he is widely
expected to follow the likes of Sepp Maier, Oliver Khan and Jens
Lehmann and become the national team's first pick.
United's goalkeeping scouts are regulars at Schalke's Veltins
Arena and, with the club experiencing financial difficulties, they
could be forced to sell as early as January.
Neuer would come with the added bonus that he is not cuptied in
Europe, Schalke having failed to qualify.
Born in Gelsenkirchen, the city in which Schalke play, and
having grown up as a fan of the club, Neuer might be reluctant to
leave but his contract runs only until 2012 and Bayern Munich are
also assessing whether to make a move.
His arrival at United would, though, be a blow to Foster, long
heralded as a potential England No1.