Sporttoni kroosmanchester uniteduk sport

Toni Kroos Transfer: Manchester United 'Offering Midfielder £260,000 A Week'

Show Me The Money: How Much Are United Offering Kroos?
The Huffington Post UK
|

Manchester United are prepared to offer Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos a staggering £260,000-a-week in an attempt to bolster their depleted midfield, according to reports.

Kroos, 24, played against United in both quarter-final legs of Bayern's Champions League triumph and has been watched twice by United manager David Moyes this season.

Bayern strengthened their midfield on Monday with the signing of Sebastian Rode from Eintracht Frankfurt on a four-year deal, which could pave the way for Kroos' departure. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javier Martínez, Thiago Alcântara and Philipp Lahm make up Bayern's enviable array of midfielders, along with Kroos.

Open Image Modal

Kroos faced United twice in the Champions League recently

The astronomical weekly figure United have supposedly offered the German highlights the club's sudden eagerness to target outstanding foreign players as they prepare themselves for a season without Champions League football. United are seven points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with just five Barclays Premier League games remaining.

By gifting Wayne Rooney a £300,000-a-week five-year contract in February, United have set a potentially hazardous precedent ahead of the summer transfer window, when their spending is expected to pass the £100 million mark.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Reds traditionally paid high fees for English-based players, such as Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Robin van Persie. That trend continued under Moyes with the acquisitions of Marouane Fellaini and, most recently, Juan Mata.

Toni Kroos
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(01 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Yaya Sanogo of Arsenal clashes with Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(02 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(03 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with with Dante of Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(04 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(05 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with with team mates during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(06 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (Foreground) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(07 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (Front R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(08 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (2nd R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(09 of18)
Open Image Modal
Arsenal's English midfielder Jack Wilshere (2nd R) vies for the ball with Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (R) during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(10 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with with team mates during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(11 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (C) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(12 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Arjen Robben of Bayern Muenchen congratulates Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen on scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(13 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Arjen Robben of Bayern Muenchen congratulates Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen on scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(14 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with Javi Martinez of Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(15 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Jack Wilshere of Arsenal goes in for the tackle on Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(16 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Arjen Robben of Bayern Muenchen congratulates Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen on scoring their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-EUR-C1-ARSENAL-BAYERN MUNICH(17 of18)
Open Image Modal
Bayern Munich's midfielder Toni Kroos (2nd R) celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Last 16, first leg football match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at The Emirates Stadium in north London on February 19, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Arsenal v FC Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Round of 16(18 of18)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 19: Toni Kroos of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring the opening goal with Javi Martinez of Bayern Muenchen during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Arsenal and FC Bayern Muenchen at Emirates Stadium on February 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Ferguson struggled to recruit proven quality players on the continent, with a few exceptions. Fabien Barthez joined from Monaco after France's Euro 2000 triumph, while Ruud van Nistelrooy and Juan Sebastián Verón both arrived for a combined £47.1m in 2001, yet Patrick Kluivert, Ronaldinho, David Silva, Karim Benzema, Mesut Özil and Wesley Sneijder headline a starry list of players United missed out on.

Moyes has belatedly recognised the squad he inherited requires an overhaul this summer, but with his own future in doubt he might not get the chance to manage Kroos.

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip