Manchester United will reportedly make a move for Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos this summer.
Writing in The Independent, Miguel Delaney claims that the German international, who moved to Spain from Bayern Munich four years ago, is Jose Mourinho’s top midfield target ahead of next season.
Despite some of the recent speculation about Paul Pogba’s future at Old Trafford, the report claims that Mourinho intends to add the 28-year-old to play alongside the French international and Nemanja Matic. He is not seen as a replacement for Pogba.
A move for Kroos – a key player at the Bernabeu – might seem ambitious, but the European champions are said to be open to selling some of their high-profile names as they view a squad overhaul before the start of the new campaign. This could allow United to bring the midfielder to Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is due to retire at the end of the season, and Kroos is viewed as the perfect replacement. Like the 36-year-old, Kroos is capable of occupying a deep-lying midfield role and boasts an impressive range of passing.
Delaney also writes that Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund is also being eyed by Mourinho, although his preference is to bring in Kroos.
This isn’t the first time the player has been linked with a move to United. David Moyes was reportedly interested in signing him during his ill-fated 10-month spell as manager at Old Trafford. In an interview given to The Telegraph in 2016, Moyes claimed he had agreed a deal with Kroos and his agent. Unfortunately for him, Moyes was dismissed in April 2014. His successor, Louis van Gaal, pulled the plug on the deal.
