Marca: Toni Kroos Transfer to Real Madrid Close to Fruition

Real Madrid could be close to a deal that would send Bayern München's Toni Kroos to the Spanish capital, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Kroos and Real Madrid have allegedly agreed on a five-year contract that would pay him €5 million after tax. The reported price tag is €25-30 million, a similar fee that los blancos used to poach Isco and Asier Illarramendi from Málaga and Real Sociedad respectively a year ago.

This report comes just a week and a half after Kroos revealed no progress in talks for a contract extension in the wake of the new deals for Thomas Müller and Philipp Lahm. Chelsea was supposedly offering €8 million in annual wages as well.

It might appear as if Real Madrid are beating Barcelona to the punch. Kicker reported a week ago that the Blaugrana had submitted an official offer for Kroos. However, it seems that a deal to Real Madrid now just hangs on Bayern.

Kroos's Agent, Volker Struth, has said on several occasions that Kroos will remain at Bayern until at least 2015, when his contract expires.

"There is no need to make an official offer because Kroos will play at Bayern until at least 2015," Struth told Bild in May.

If the fee ends up being what is reported, it will be the most Bayern have ever received for a player. Owen Hargreaves, who came through Bayern's youth system as well, departed for Manchester United for a €25 million fee. Bayern, not known as a selling club, would also receive more money in transfer fees over the last two years – €64-69 million – than they did the over five prior seasons combined, dating back to 2008.

With the German national team playing in the advanced stages of the World Cup, Real Madrid would probably not complete the deal until Kroos returns from Brazil, if the report is in fact valid. The transfer window opens tomorrow, though, so more reports similar to this could surface over the next few days.