European champions Real Madrid have been told to offer midfielder Toni Kroos in a proposed deal to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea this summer. The clubs have built up a shrewd relationship between themselves since the De Gea saga in 2015.
The Spanish shot-stopper was tipped to join the La Liga club back in September 2015, and a deal would have gone through on deadline day, had the necessary paperwork been generated before the cut-off time. Both clubs had therein blamed each other for the mistake, but United appeared to have intentionally delayed the deal until the 11th hour which did not go well with Los Blancos.
According to The Mirror, Zinedine Zidane’s side have revived their pursuit for De Gea this summer, but this could face a potential stumbling block with Jose Mourinho having placed a fresh demand. The Special One has set his sights on signing Germany international Toni Kroos after having ended his interest in fellow teammate Alvaro Morata.
Morata was destined to join the Mancunian giants earlier in the transfer window, but Real’s £78m valuation proved too much for a player, who has no Premier League experienced in his bag. Eventually, United sealed the deal for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, and they have now switched their interest towards a midfield recruit, who could accompany Paul Pogba next term.
Kroos is undoubtedly one of the world’s best in his position, and Mourinho is willing to discuss a deal for De Gea, should he receive the World Cup winner in exchange. Meanwhile, the Red Devils would also entertain a straight-cash deal for their shot-stopper, but Los Blancos would have to cough up at least £60m in order to pursue the former Atletico Madrid man.
De Gea has been named as the PFA Team of the Year for the last three years running, and United will do all within their reach in order to keep hold of their leading star, who has stayed calm over the ongoing speculation.
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