According to Spanish newspaper AS, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has had a meeting with United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward in recent days.
The plan was to discuss the club’s squad and further additions for the 2018/19 season.
During the meeting, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager is said to have identified Toni Kroos as a transfer target for the 20-time English champions.
Mourinho believes the signing of the Real Madrid star ‘could be essential’ to strengthen United’s midfield and also compliment Paul Pogba.
To satisfy Mourinho’s wish, the Red Devils are ‘willing to make a great offer’ for the German international midfielder. Kroos was part of the Germany squad that crashed out from the group stages of the 2018 World Cup, so has more time on his hands than previously expected.
Kroos has so far played under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. All the three mangers have rated him highly and he’s been one of the key players for them in the midfield, along with Luka Modric and Casemiro.
However, United are hoping to convince Kroos to join them this summer. The Premier League giants are willing to make the 28-year-old one of the ‘leaders’ of their new project at Old Trafford.
Real Madrid are not ‘nervous’ about United’s interest in Kroos as the player has a €500m release clause in his contract, which expires in 2021. They appointed Julen Lopetegui as Zidane’s successor and the midfielder still remains a key part of the Champions League winners’ new project.
