Real Madrid transfer news offers Man Utd Bellingham hope

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 16 Apr 2023 10:34 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid are set to offer Toni Kroos a one-year contract extension, potentially giving Manchester United a clear run at Jude Bellingham.

There had been speculation that Kroos would hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign, the 33-year-old midfielder having already called time on his Germany career.

But reports from Spain suggest that the veteran will extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, renewing a contract that was set to expire in June.

READ: When does the contract of every Real Madrid player expire?

#Kroos2024

"Toni Kroos and Real Madrid will stay together for one more season," write Marca. "The German arrived at Madrid in 2014 and will be able to celebrate at least a decade in white, until 30 June 2024.

"The player and club wanted to make sure there was no drop in performances before extending, and as of now, everybody is happy."

Whilst the news will be welcomed buy Madrid fans - Kroos has helped them to four Champions Leagues and three La Liga since his arrival from Bayern Munich - it could damage their prospects of signing Bellingham.

READ: Bellingham 'a Ferrari at Christmas' - Klopp makes Liverpool transfer stance clear

Real Madrid and Liverpool were previously understood to be at the front of the queue for Borussia Dortmund's nascent England midfielder, but Liverpool have ruled themselves out of the race, citing his high asking price as the reason.

Manchester United have now entered the fray at the same time that Real's financial troubles have come to light - the club are redeveloping their stadium and have sold a percentage of future revenues - a la Barcelona - to fund the work. Levers aside, they made an operating loss last summer.

With Luka Modric determined to stay, and rising stars Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde on the books, Real are also embarrassingly well-stocked in Bellingham's position.

United - and crosstown rivals Manchester City - are perhaps the only teams left in the running who can afford Dortmund's €160m asking price.