Munich, Aug 25 (IANS) German football club champions Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has said striker Thomas Muller is priceless for the club amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to English Premier League side Manchester United.
Reports in Germany over the weekend claimed United had tabled an 85 million euro ($97.5 million) bid for the Germany international as they look to secure a marquee signing for the season.
Lahm, however, has underlined Muller’s importance to Bayern and does not believe the 25-year-old will move on.
“Thomas is one of those role models who you can’t attach a price tag to. He lives for Bayern, he is a very, very important player for us,” Lahm was quoted as saying by German newspaper Munchner Mekur on Monday.
Bayern have already allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to move to United this season, prompting further accusations that coach Pep Guardiola is changing the club’s core identity, following the departure of midfielder Toni Kroos in 2014 and the signing of Brazilian Douglas Costa.
“There shouldn’t be a concern about Bayern’s identity. Look at the team: Thomas Muller, Holger Badstuber, David Alaba, me – all from the youth team,” he said.
“We have Manuel Neuer, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who have been here so long that their hearts practically beat red,” Lahm said.
The German World Cup winner was also keen to stress that Bayern’s Bundesliga title defence will not be easy this term, despite winning the championship easily in the last two years.