Man Utd handed triple boost in pursuit of big-name January targets

Declan Campbell

Manchester United have been put on high alert after long-time targets Toni Kroos, Milan Skriniar and Alex Sandro were said to be considering their futures at their respective clubs.

World Cup winner Kroos has hinted at his discontent at Real Madrid during the international break, stating: “I like playing deeper, but I’m not Casemiro.” Now, Spanish outlet El Confidencial suggests that those statements have not been received well by his club, with concerns over his work-rate leading to claims he could be sold off in January.

Don Balon claimed in June that Mourinho was willing to pay £70m to bring Kroos to Old Trafford during the summer.

AS also later claimed Mourinho had targeted the 28-year-old Kroos and the Premier League club were willing to make him a lucrative offer.

Real Madrid are, as a result, considering cashing in on the German international in the knowledge that they could command a big fee from United.

The timely news of the German’s unhappiness comes amid another potential transfer boost for the Red Devils, with it being reported that United’s defensive target Milan Skriniar is now open to a Premier League switch.

The Slovakian had previously suggested he was content in Italy with Inter Milan, but now has suggested a potential move to the Premier League is ‘intriguing’.

Skriniar himself remains in the dark over his future and said of the recent links to United: “I don’t know if it’s true. Personally, I don’t know, as the transfer window has just shut, so it’s hard for me to say anything.”

As for Sandro, reports suggest that the Brazilian left-back and Juventus have failed to reach and agreement over a new contract, with the player likely to be put up for sale in January should the two parties remain at an impasse.

The potential move for Sandro comes at a time when Luke Shaw is poised to sign a new deal at United.

 

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