Manchester United are reportedly lining up a move for Real Madrid midfield stalwart Toni Kroos ahead of the January transfer window.
According to a report by Sport Bild, who have quoted claims by Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, Manchester United seem to have reignited their interest in Toni Kroos. The Premier League heavyweights are considering a January move for the German midfielder, although Real Madrid could use him as leverage to secure the services of Paul Pogba.
Kroos has cemented his legacy as one of the best creative midfielders of his generation during his time at Real Madrid. Since arriving at the Bernabeu in the summer of 2014, the German midfield stalwart has been an integral part of one of the most successful sides in recent memory, winning as many as 12 trophies over the last five years.
But, his stock took a bit of a hit ahead of the summer as after a forgettable 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign, he was one of the underperformers in a horrible 2018-19 season for Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Kroos remained highly regarded in the Spanish capital, with Los Blancos handing him a new four-year deal in May.
Now, though, it has emerged that Real Madrid are open to the idea of selling him, if Eduardo Inda (h/t Bild) is to be believed. Manchester United, who hold a long-standing interest in Kroos, remain ever-the-keen to sign the German international and are plotting a sensational January move for him.
Creativity is an urgent need of the hour for Manchester United, who look lost in the middle of the park without Paul Pogba driving them forward. The likes of Juan Mata, Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard have failed to provide the required creative spark, meaning someone like Kroos could be quite the welcome addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
Real Madrid, though, are looking to use Manchester United’s interest in Kroos to finally get their hands on Paul Pogba. The Merengues had been heavily linked with the Manchester United talisman for much of the summer window following his comments iterating that he was ready for a new challenge in his career.
A move did not materialise then, but Real Madrid are looking to use Kroos as a leverage to secure the services of Pogba in the January transfer window. The claim, however, comes off as peculiar more than anything, seeing as Los Blancos also need to find a successor for Luka Modric.
Furthermore, it is unclear if Kroos is open to the idea of joining Manchester United. If he is not, a move might not go through at all, despite his stature, seeing as Solskjaer has made it clear that Manchester United will only sign players who are committed to their project.
A mid-season move involving Pogba too, might not be sanctioned considering his value to the Red Devils. Either way, it remains to be seen if Real Madrid and Manchester United can reach an agreement over a sensational deal involving Pogba and Kroos.
