Report: Toni Kroos to Real Madrid is a done deal

Earlier today, MARCA reported that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu was all but complete for Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos. Our fellow SBNation colleagues at Managing Madrid have been able to confirm that Toni Kroos will sign with Real Madrid and the deal is all but reported. Both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid will wait until the completion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to announce the transfer of the 24-year-old.

While Managing Madrid were not able to confirm the transfer amount, the earlier reported fee range of €25-30M seems an appropriate figure given the stature and profile of Real Madrid. The fact that Bayern Munich and Madrid are direct competitors certainly feeds into any transfer fee in a deal involving the two clubs.

It's hard to feel sad about this deal. Bayern Munich has a very crowded central midfield and while losing an amazing talent such as Toni Kroos hurts from a talent retention perspective, the contract stand off between Bayern Munich and him was probably enough to push him to leaving; especially when Real Madrid wage offers have been reported at €5M guaranteed after-tax. Bayern Munich's most likely going to make far more from this transfer then Kroos would be worth to them this season and that's a good move from a business perspective.