Magath: No pressure to sell Neuer

(GSM) – Schalke 04 boss Felix Magath has insisted that Schalke 04 are not under pressure to sell star goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The German shot stopper, who has 18 months left on his current contract at the Gelsenkirchen outfit, has yet to agree to an extension with the club.

During the period of uncertainty, Neuer has been linked with a host of clubs across Europe with Manchester United reportedly considering him as a potential replacement for Edwin van der Sar while Bayern München want to keep the 24-year-old in Germany.

However, Magath is not concerned about the prospect of losing Neuer and does not believe the club need to cash in on the Germany international.

“A year ago, we would maybe have had to think about a transfer in the situation we were in, but not now,” he told Kicker magazine.

“We are now far better off financially and do not have to sell Manuel Neuer at all.”

Nevertheless, Bayern are still monitoring the situation with a view to making a bid at the end of the season.

“My colleague Magath will not sell Neuer, but I will discuss this issue with my board,” said Bayern coach Louis van Gaal at the weekend.

Van Gaal is currently looking for a long-term replacement for Hans-Jörg Butt, whose career is coming to an end.