Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Isco and Toni Kroos

Manchester United could sign Isco from Real Madrid for as little as €30 million (£26 million), it’s been reported.

That’s according to Calciomercato.com (h/t Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness), where it’s suggested the playmaker may be available for a cut price. AC Milan are not said to be keen on Isco, although interest from the Red Devils and Juventus is noted, with the latter said to be long-term admirers of the Spain international.

Isco currently finds himself a long way down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, although he’s still a popular player for most Madridistas.

Here’s a glimpse at what he’s capable of:

Since joining Madrid in 2013, the 24-year-old has never quite been able to nail down a consistent position in the starting XI.

Currently, manager Zinedine Zidane has so many options in the attacking midfield positions. On the flanks, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are regulars, while James Rodriguez, Marco Asensio and Mateo Kovacic are also pushing for a place in the XI. Subsequently, Isco has only played 55 minutes in La Liga this term.

Football journalist Lucas Navarrete feels as though Isco should be getting more time on the field and would make a major difference to the team:

In the right kind of setup, potentially working under a manager like Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, Isco would make strides. Frequently he’ll produce moments of untamed quality, reminding onlookers exactly what he’s capable of. But he’s continuously pushed to the fringes at Madrid.

In Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata, the Red Devils do possess a lot of attacking midfielders themselves. However, Isco has the natural talent to force his way into the side provided he is given the opportunity. For the sum aforementioned, there will surely be a queue of teams ready to take a punt on this mercurial talent.

United, City in for Toni Kroos

VI-Images/Getty Images

According to Spanish journalist Pipi Estrada, Manchester United boss Mourinho and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola both want to sign Toni Kroos from Real Madrid.

"A war of two great coaches of international prestige, Guardiola and Mourinho, for a player, a player of Real Madrid: [Kroos]," he told El Chiringuito (h/t Colin Harvey of the Daily Star). "The two managers believe that he may be key to their future because of his tactical position on the field and because he is vital for the continuity of their projects."

Kroos has long been considered one of the finest midfielders in the world, excelling with Bayern Munich before moving to Madrid in 2014. As noted by Harvey, United sought to sign the player in 2013, although they failed with their bid.

The Germany international struggled at times last term, although he played brilliantly in the big games for Madrid on their way to UEFA Champions League glory.

This campaign he’s been at his creative best in the same competition:

Kroos would potentially bring even more out of a player like Pogba, and United legend Paul Scholes encouraged the club to target the 26-year-old "controlling midfielder" earlier this month.

"A Luka Modric or a [Kroos]," Scholes told BT Sport, per the Daily Telegraph. "I think these players are available. I think [Pogba] would be a much better player playing with these types of players."

While United flexed their muscles in the transfer window just gone, trying to take a key man off Madrid is very difficult. Someone like Isco may be surplus to requirements, although Kroos is central to the way in which Los Blancos manage their attacks. Even with the Red Devils’ riches, convincing the Liga side to sell would be challenging.