Roberto Mancini has handed his Christmas transfer wish list to his board and to the delight of the City faithful it is topped by German boy wonder Thomas Müller. Although 1431 km away in Madrid, a certain ‘special one’ has named exactly the same player at the top of his.
Müller, 21, took the World Cup in South Africa by storm after being a late inclusion in Joachim Low’s side. Amassing an impressive 5 goals and 3 assists during a tournament in which the German’s demolished their old foes England. On his arrival back from South Africa he signed a contract extension with Bayern to take him up till 2015 but now it seems he is unlikely to see this out.
Manchester City’s squad of World beaters, despite having cost approximately £325 million has yet to show the kind of form that their Arab owners would have wanted after such an investment. Madrid on the other hand has always run hand-in-hand with success and this fact alone could be enough to tempt the talented front man to warmer climes than Manchester. The fact that arguably the best manager in world football is at the helm is just an added bonus.
Bayern though are unlikely to want to lose one of their prized assets and will fight tooth and nail to keep him. In a world where everyone has their price and with the financial backing both City and Real receive there appears to be no obstacle that can’t be overturned. A fee of around £25 million has been banded around the European media but this is far more likely to be upwards of £40 or £50 million given the players importance.
Müller, a player who is capable of filling a number of positions and is yet to find, by his own admission his best role in the Bayern first team but, fills every position like a player who specialises in that particular role alone. This fact wouldn’t stop an all out transfer war between the 2 European super spenders though and I for one would consider a move to Madrid the more appealing of the 2 just for the sheer fact they have more championship credentials. Either way it seems unlikely Müller will be playing his football at the Allianz Arena for too much longer.
Follow Steve Featherstone on Twitter @Feathersworld
