Manchester United plot Sead Kolasinac capture from Schalke

Manchester United, 6/1 shots with Coral to win next season’s Premier League, are preparing to launch a summer swoop for a Bundesliga star, but it is not Toni Kroos.

The tabloids link German-born Bosnia and Herzegovina international left back Sead Kolasinac, who plays for Gelsenkirchen club Schalke, with a move to Old Trafford. It is claimed that the Red Devils have made an offer for him, with the ball now in the German top-flight’s court.

United may be without a permanent manager, but Ryan Giggs’ audition for the role got off to a perfect start as the Red Devils crushed relegation-threatened Norwich 4-0.

Current first-choice left back Patrice Evra is out of contract this summer, and has been linked with a free transfer to former side Monaco, or joining outgoing United club captain Nemanja Vidic at Inter Milan.

Southampton teenager Luke Shaw, recently voted in the PFA’s Team of the Year, remains a top target for the Red Devils, but they will face stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. A bidding war could ensue, so United are looking at cheaper alternatives.

Kolasinac, 20, is widely regarded as one the Bundesliga’s brightest prospects. Schalke reportedly value him at £8m, so Jens Keller is having no difficulty in attracting suitors for this talent.

If his current club earn one more win from their two remaining matches, Kolasinac, who is under contract until 2017, will be guaranteed Champions League football if he stays at Schalke.

As Bosnia make their World Cup finals debut as an independent nation in Brazil this summer, Kolasinac could put himself in the shop window. They have been in Group F, which also contains tournament second-favourites Argentina, outsiders Iran and African champions Nigeria.

Bosnia are 125/1 to go all the way in Brazil, 5/1 to top their pool and odds-on at 8/11 to qualify for the knockout phase from it.