Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has stated clearly that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is staying with the club for the upcoming season, amidst interest for the player from Manchester United.
The Germany international's future have been the subject of speculations all summer following the interest he received from Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal. The Dutch gaffer, who has managed Schweinsteiger in the past during his managerial spell at Bayern, rates the midfielder highly and believes he would be a great addition to the United squad.
However, ex-Barcelona manager Guardiola has nipped the transfer rumours in the bud as he mentioned that the eight-time Bundesliga winner, who has a price tag of £7.5 million, is staying with the club next season.
"I have said that Basti is going to be here next season. His future is here," Focus magazine quoted Guardiola as saying.
However, the Spanish gaffer has also mentioned that it is the 30-year-old's discretion what he wants to do this summer – stay or move to one of his interested suitors.
"Today, in this moment, I think 100% that he will play here this season. But he is the only one who can decide, not me or Kalle [Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich CEO].
"If he stays then that's perfect for me. He is a great player."
German legend Lothar Matthaus, in an interview last month, stated that Van Gaal knows the strength of Schweinsteiger in every way and he would make him one of the best players of the world.
"Schweinsteiger needs a coach who will play him according to his strengths, and Van Gaal will do that," Matthaus had said.
However, it needs to be seen now what the man of the moment really decides on this summer.
Schweinsteiger started his senior career with Bayern in 2002, and in a career spanning more than 10 years, the midfield maestro has appeared in 500 games for the Bavarian giants in all competitions.
His current contract at the Allianz Arena expires next summer.
Meanwhile, United winger Angel di Maria was also reported to be linked with a move to Bayern this summer. But it seems now that the German giants are out of the race.
Reacting to the reports, Guardiola commented that he admired the Argentine's style of play, but is he interested to sign the player?
"I don't have to watch Argentina games [in the Copa America], because I know [Di Maria] and his style of playing very well," Guardiola said.
"United did not pay so much money [£59.7million] for nothing, he is a great player. Although such transfer fees are sometimes really crazy.
"[Am I interested to sign him?] No."
