Liverpool + Man Utd Failed With Summer Bids For German Midfielder

The summer transfer window may be closed but managers are already thinking ahead to the January window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Liverpool and Man Utd were in for Christoph Kramer.

Manchester United and Liverpool failed with bids to try and sign German international midfielder Christoph Kramer during the summer transfer period, according to reports.

Kramer caught the eye with some impressive substitute appearances at the World Cup and he featured in the final for Germany against Argentina before being forced off with concussion following a nasty blow to the head.

The 23-year-old earned his place in Joachim Low’s 23-man squad for Brazil after playing a key role in helping Borussia Monchengladbach finish in fifth place in the Bundesliga table last season.

It appears his excellent displays at the heart of the Monchengladbach midfield attracted interest from the Premier League with the Express claiming that both Manchester United and Liverpool tabled bids for the player last month, while Atletico Madrid and Juventus are also understood to have made their interest known.

However, any chance of a move to England was scuppered due to the fact that Kramer is currently half way through a two-year loan move at Monchengladbach from Bayer Leverkusen. His parent may have been open to breaking the loan and cashing in, but Monchengladbach were determined to hold them to their two-year agreement, so any potential deal for Kramer was off the table.

It remains to be seen whether United or Liverpool will renew their interest in the defensive midfielder next summer, but I’m sure Louis van Gaal and Brendan Rodgers will have their scouts keeping a close eye on his progress over the next few months.

United did eventually bring in Daley Blind from Ajax and the versatile Dutchman is expected to be played in the defensive midfield position this season, but with Michael Carrick now 33, another defensive minded midfielder is going to be required at Old Trafford soon.

Liverpool pounced early for Emre Can this summer but the future of Lucas Leiva remains unclear so Rodgers could move for Kramer again next year if the Brazilian leaves Anfield.