Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos as his priority midfield target for the summer.
According to a report by The Independent, Toni Kroos is the subject of interest from Manchester United once again, with the Red Devils reigniting their interest in the German playmaker. Jose Mourinho is eyeing the Real Madrid midfielder to boost his side’s creative options in the summer.
Kroos is widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the world, having taken his career to unprecedented heights since joining Real Madrid from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2014. At the Bernabeu, the player has forged a formidable creative partnership with Luka Modric, with the duo running the show for Los Blancos.
His numbers may not make for impressive reading, with a tally of 11 goals and 52 assists in 176 outings in all competitions. But, Kroos has been the creative hub for Real Madrid, who have had to keep some of the biggest clubs at bay for the German international, including Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho reveals United will be in the market for another central midfielder in the summer…
… but as a replacement for Michael Carrick not Paul Pogba | https://t.co/4o2iV6tDVv pic.twitter.com/YJYOAhBtKr
— Indy Football (@IndyFootball) February 17, 2018
Manchester United have, in fact, been in pursuit of Kroos for well over four years now, and were plotting a move for him before he made his way to Real Madrid in 2014. The Red Devils now seem to be in the market once again for the player, with Jose Mourinho admittedly eager to boost his options in midfield in the summer.
The renewal of interest in Kroos perhaps stems from the fact that Michael Carrick will call time on his illustrious Manchester United career at the end of the season. With Marouane Fellaini heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford as well, Mourinho could fall short of options if he doesn’t reinforce his squad.
Kroos is, thus, a viable target for Manchester United, and for more than one reason. In addition to the aforementioned need for reinforcements, the German could also facilitate a change in system that would see Mourinho employ a midfield trio featuring Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, potentially bringing the best out of the latter as well.
As per the report, Real Madrid might be open to selling some high-profile players, with certain murmurings indicating that one of the players could be Kroos. If that indeed turns out to be the case, Manchester United would receive a massive boost in their long-standing pursuit of the player.
But, they might have to tread carefully, considering Real Madrid are also interested in signing David De Gea, and could use Kroos as a leverage in a possible deal. It now remains to be seen if the 28-year-old finally joins Manchester United, or if they are compelled to shift their focus.
