Toni Kroos agreed move to Premier League club but transfer never happened after their manager was sacked in front of him
The former Real Madrid and Germany midfielder almost joined the Premier League side back in 2014.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos admitted that he agreed to a move to the Premier League, but the transfer did not materialise after the club sacked their manager.
Kroos, 35, called time on a trophy-laden career after Euro 2024 in Germany.
The central midfielder’s final game in club football was Real Madrid’s 2-0 Champions League final victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in June 2024.
He retired with an impressive trophy haul from his time at Madrid, Bayern Munich and Germany, including six Champions Leagues and the 2014 World Cup.
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Speaking with CBS, following June’s final, he described the achievement as “amazing” and admitted he had done something he “never thought” he could achieve during his career.
However, things could have played out very differently.
Back in 2014, Kroos “agreed” a deal with a Premier League club while he was still a youngster at Bayern Munich.
Manchester United, managed by David Moyes at the time, were reportedly keen on signing the playmaker. But Moyes was sacked by United and replaced by Louis van Gaal.
"In 2014, before I signed with Real Madrid, I had already agreed with Manchester United,” Kroos told SPORT1.
“That would have been a move from Bayern to United. But then they kicked out David Moyes, who I was still sitting on my couch with in Munich and hired Louis van Gaal. Then we both declined with thanks."
Shortly after, Real Madrid came calling and lured him to the Spanish capital and the rest is history.
"The World Cup started, and [Carlo] Ancelotti got in touch – that was it," Kroos added.
The German further elaborated on his story when discussing his failed move to United with The Athletic in 2020.
“David Moyes had come to see me and the contract had basically been done but then Moyes was fired and Louis van Gaal came in, which complicated matters,” Kroos explained.
“Louis wanted time to build his own project. I didn’t hear anything from United for a while and started having doubts.”
On reflection choosing Madrid over United was the correct decision, as in the 11 years since Los Blancos have gone from strength to strength. While United have failed to win the Premier League or Champions League.
Topics: Toni Kroos, Real Madrid, Premier League, Manchester United, David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal, Transfer News
Luke Davies