Neuer target spells trouble for England keeper Ben Foster
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Manuel Neuer target spells trouble for England keeper Ben Foster
In demand: United are tracking Manuel Neuer
Ben Foster's assumed position as the natural replacement to Edwin van der Sar is under threat as Manchester United gather further intelligence on German prodigy Manuel Neuer.
United had an initial inquiry for the goalkeeper turned down last summer, with Schalke holding out for £15million for Neuer, 23.
Currently the No3 keeper in the Germany squad, he is widely expected to follow the likes of Sepp Maier, Oliver Khan and Jens Lehmann and become the national team's first pick.
United's goalkeeping scouts are regulars at Schalke's Veltins Arena and, with the club experiencing financial difficulties, they could be forced to sell as early as January.
Neuer would come with the added bonus that he is not cuptied in Europe, Schalke having failed to qualify.
Born in Gelsenkirchen, the city in which Schalke play, and having grown up as a fan of the club, Neuer might be reluctant to leave but his contract runs only until 2012 and Bayern Munich are also assessing whether to make a move.
His arrival at United would, though, be a blow to Foster, long heralded as a potential England No1.
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well, Edwin is retiring soon, it is more of the Polish keeper who is going out..