Manchester United opens Kroos talks in Munich

Posted Thursday, April 10, 2014 by YAHOO Sport

Manchester United will test the water over a 48.5 million euro summer move for Toni Kroos when it faces Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will be in Munich for the Champions League quarterfinal clash and plans to discuss a potential deal for the Bayern midfielder with the German club.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists Kroos will not be sold this summer but the 24-year-old is David Moyes’ top target to strengthen his midfield at the end of the season.

United is willing to more than double Kroos' wages to around 242,000 euros-a-week and the Germany international has stalled over a new deal at Bayern, with his contract set to expire in 2015.

United believes an offer worth around 48.5 million euros will be too much for Bayern to turn down given the player could leave on a free transfer at the end of his contract.

The Red Devils are yet to open dialogue with Bayern directly over a potential deal but that is expected to change on Wednesday night when they test the waters with the German giants for the first time.

Moyes has personally led United's attempts to sign Kroos in recent month, with United going on a charm offensive with the playmaker and his representatives to convince him to move to Old Trafford.

United is wary that Kroos could be using the English champion as a bargaining tool to generate a better contract offer from Bayern, which wants to keep him at the club.

Rummenigge insisted this week that Kroos will not be sold under any circumstances this summer, telling reporters: "I can promise you that Toni will play for Bayern next season."

United, however, believes Kroos holds a genuine interest in moving to the Premier League giant, despite a disappointing first season for Moyes which sees the club seventh in the table and all but certain to miss out on a place in next season’s Champions League.

Kroos, a certainty for Germany’s World Cup squad, has made 43 appearances for Bayern in all competitions under Pep Guardiola this season, scoring three goals and providing nine assists.