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Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says that Bastian Schweinsteiger must come to the club with a ‘concrete wish’ to leave this summer if he is to join Manchester United.
The Germany international has been a long-term target of Manchester United, and won the league and cup double under now Reds boss Louis van Gaal back in the 2009-10 season.
The World Cup winner is considered to be one of Van Gaal’s top transfer targets this summer, as the Dutchman seeks a reunion with his former star in a bid to greatly enhance his midfield options at the club.
But Bayern Munich are keen to keep hold of the midfielder, and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the only way Manchester United will get their man is if Schweinsteiger asks to leave.
“I don’t know if they story has weight,” said Rummenigge. “But from our point of view it’s clear: we would only consider a transfer if Bastian were to confront us with a concrete wish. That’s not the case.”
The 31-year-old is contracted to the Bundesliga giants until 2016 and, speaking back in January, Schweinsteiger refused to rule out the option of playing abroad one day.
"I have said that you should never say never, but at the moment I am focused on the football here at Bayern,” he told Kicker.
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"I can play at this level for another three, four years.
"There is no hurry [to talk about a new contract]. I am very relaxed. I focus on football, and I am not pressed for time. The contract still runs for another one-and-a-half years."
The club's 'official online gaming and betting partner' welcomed Gundogan to Old Trafford in a post on their Twitter feed before quickly deleting the message.
