What’s the story?
Manchester United and Real Madrid have agreed to swap David de Gea and Toni Kroos according to reports in Spain. The deal will see the duo change badges and Manchester United pocketing an extra £15 million. Real Madrid and Manchester United officials have reportedly met last weekend and have verbally agreed on the deal, to be concluded in the summer transfer window.
In case you didn’t know..
David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid has become a transfer saga of sorts. The Manchester United shot-stopper was close to a move back to the Spanish capital ahead of the 2015-16 season, but the move didn’t materialize and the Spain Number 1 signed a new contract with the English giants.
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However, Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in the goalkeeper after Keylor Navas has failed to establish himself as the Number 1 in a Real Madrid shirt since the departure of Iker Casillas.
The heart of the matter
David de Gea is valued around £66 million by Manchester United and Toni Kroos’ valuation is around £50 million, so the deal makes sense for both parties. Toni Kroos will be the perfect foil to the midfield of Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera and will be a long-term replacement for Paul Scholes.
In the words of the ginger prince himself, “Kroos is the best midfield passer in the world, towards the end of my career, I tried to emulate him. Kroos would be a perfect fit alongside [Ander] Herrera and [Paul] Pogba at Manchester United”
What’s Next?
At this moment, the deal for David de Gea to leave Manchester United and go to his native Madrid seems to be a formality. Manchester United were obviously unwilling to part with their crown jewel, given he was their player of the season for 3 years in a row.
The fact that Toni Kroos is thrown into the deal, will appease both parties. The German is largely considered one of the best midfielders in the world, having won the Bundesliga, the Champions League, and the World Cup despite being just 27-years-old.
Author’s Take
The deal, as blockbuster as it sounds to be, makes a lot of sense for both parties. It is often very difficult to keep a player against his wishes, and David de Gea wants to leave Manchester United there is little Jose Mourinho can do to stop the Spaniard.
Therefore it is to the interest of both parties, that the deal goes through, and both teams will have their man.
