Manchester United 'Will Demand' Toni Kroos If David De Gea Joins Real Madrid

Manchester United "will demand" a player swap deal, possibly involving Toni Kroos, should Real Madrid attempt to sign David De Gea this summer, per Miguel Delaney for The Independent.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly losing the battle to keep his Spanish goalkeeper at the club and is interested in signing Kroos as a replacement for 35-year-old Michael Carrick.

De Gea has been linked with a transfer to Real ever since his proposed move to the club in 2015 fell through at the 11th hour.

The Spaniard is reportedly keen on moving back to Madrid, where he began his career with Real's neighbours Atletico, and there is a "growing feeling" that United must accept De Gea's future lies away from Old Trafford, per Delaney.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The 26-year-old, who has won United's player of the year award in each of the past three seasons, has been in superb form again in 2016-17 for Mourinho's side. He has amassed 13 clean sheets in all competitions for United so far.

In exchange, Mourinho reportedly wants Germany international Kroos to help bring some defensive solidity to central midfield, a player David Moyes recently admitted he almost signed for United in the summer of 2014, per Michael Walker for The Independent.

The club would also be open to Brazilian midfielder Casemiro going the other way, but this has reportedly been ruled out by Real, per Delaney.

Dave Thompson/Associated Press

United are reportedly in a strong negotiating position because they do not need to raise funds for their summer spending spree, and so their demands for a player in exchange for De Gea may come to fruition.

Fans will no doubt be disappointed if their star player leaves Old Trafford at the end of the season, but the prospect of new high-profile additions—aided by De Gea's reported desire to leave for Real—should sooth their anxieties.

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