Van Gaal ends pursuit of Kroos

• Guardian, Thursday, May 22, 2014 3:23 PM

Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos, a transfer target of former Manchester United manager David Moyes, is no longer a possible piece of the rebuilding job facing successor Louis van Gaal.  Kroos played a prominent role as Bayern knocked United out of the Champions League last season and at 24 has many fruitful seasons left in his career. He also has just one year remaining on his Bayern contract. He can play as a playmaker or in a box-to-box role, but Van Gaal has decided against pursuing him any further.

Van Gaal was named as Moyes’ replacement last week and will formally take over once he’s done coaching the Netherlands at the World Cup. Former United midfielder Paul Scholes, who retired last year, cited Kroos as a key element in the club’s renovation but also says there are many slots that need to be filled.

“The first player I’d bring in is Toni Kroos. He’s a top-class central midfield player but United need five or six to get anywhere near the top of the Premier League again,” said Scholes to Paddy Power.

Kroos has not stated he’s set on leaving Bayern. Club president Karl Hopfner said to Kicker magazine: “There will certainly be further talks. But at some point the player has to say what he wants. We will not exceed certain financial boundaries.”

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