Manchester United dealt blow in £40m pursuit of Real Madrid ace, Manchester City also interested

Manchester United are set to fall short in their reported £40m pursuit of Germany international Toni Kroos, according to the Daily Star.

The 13-time Premier League champions, who eventually finished fifth in the English top-flight standings despite winning the FA Cup, therefore sacking manager Louis van Gaal and appointing ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as his successor, are said to be lining up a mega money move for the Real Madrid star.

Kroos started for Real Madrid in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final against Atletico Madrid – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The 26-year-old, who has 64 international caps for his country and helped Germany lift the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, has scored one goal and provided 13 assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga giants so far this season. (Statistics correct before Saturday night’s 2016 UEFA Champions League final)

Kroos, who arrived at the Bernabeu from FC Bayern Munich back in July 2014, was also a transfer target for the Red Devils when he decided to leave the Bundesliga champions.

However the report suggests that United are set to miss out on the central midfielder’s services again, with Kroos quoted as saying he has no worries over his Madrid future.

Rivals Manchester City are also said to be interested.