Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'ready to offload Manchester United target Toni Kroos'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 02 January 2018

Real Madrid are reportedly ready to offload Toni Kroos in an attempt to raise funds for a move for Neymar, with Manchester United understood to be interested.

Real Madrid are reportedly exploring the possibility of offloading Toni Kroos in order to raise funds for a spectacular move for Neymar.

Los Blancos are understood to see Neymar as their first-choice long-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to end his glittering Madrid career at the end of the season.

However, Neymar only joined Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £200m deal last summer and Madrid would need to find a way to comply with Financial Fair Play rules should they bring the former Barcelona man in.

Spanish publication Don Balon reports that club president Florentino Perez is willing to sell Gareth Bale and Kroos in order to be able to afford Neymar.

The news will pique the interest of Manchester United, with manager Jose Mourinho known to be a long-term admirer of both Bale and Kroos.

However, the Red Devils would likely face fierce competition in the race for the latter, with Manchester City and PSG also credited with an interest in the Germany international should he become available.

Kroos almost joined United in 2013 while still a Bayern Munich player, but instead moved to Madrid a year later.