Manchester City look to land Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos on free transfer – Paper Round

The Sun believes that Manchester CIty could make a move to sign Toni Kroos on a free transfer from Real Madrid next summer.

“Pep Guardiola’s side won Europe’s big one for the first time last season as they completed a stunning Treble.

“He then bolstered his squad this summer with the arrivals of Josko Gvardiol, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku and Mateo Kovacic.

“Now a fresh report has emerged linking him with a move to bring in another star with a lot more experience at the end of the campaign.

“Spanish outlet Defensa Central are claiming that Real Madrid’s veteran midfielder Toni Kroos is currently on the radar of City.

“And they state that the German international’s wages could be doubled should he head to the Etihad once his contract expires at the Bernabeu.”

The Mirror reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is leading the way in the takeover hunt for Manchester United.

“British billionaire Ratcliffe and rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani have both submitted multiple bids since the Glazers announced in November 2022 that they were potentially open to selling the club. The latest approach from the former, which would see him initially take a minority stake of 25 percent, is understood to have ‘given him the edge ‘ over his rival.

“Earlier interest from Ratcliffe had seen him make efforts to buy the Glazers’ 69 percent holding. The current owners have been in place since 2005, and during the process there have been reports that Joel and Avram Glazer – the two most prominent family members when it comes to the running of United – were not on the same page as their siblings when it came to a sale.”

While the Mirror believes Ratcliffe is leading the way for a takeover of United, The Express suggests that Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is in fact the frontrunner.

“Sheikh Jassim is said to believe he is the only serious bidder in the running, indicating that he could be preparing to blow Sir Jim out of the water with an offer the Glazers can’t refuse.

“There has predominantly been silence on the potential sale front since Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim announced their intentions to buy the club at the start of 2023.

“But there is movement behind the scenes as the Glazers near a resolution about the uncertainty over their 18-year reign.”

The Football Association hope that a private equity offer for the Women’s Super League could help fund its relaunch.

“Mail Sport revealed last month that the launch of an enhanced top flight for the start of the 2024-25 season is under threat as the Premier League clubs are refusing to provide the £25million start-up costs.

“A number of US investors are understood to have expressed interest in buying into the WSL for a 10-year period as they are convinced it will deliver significant growth.

“The FA’s preferred model remains for the clubs to take control, but they are running out of time to agree a deal.”