Manchester United ready to sanction Paul Pogba's sale in January

Manchester United are prepared to sanction the sale of midfielder Paul Pogba to Real Madrid in January, provided they are offered Toni Kroos as part of the transfer agreement.

The Red Devils were hot on the trail of Kroos during their time under David Moyes in 2014 but the deal never materialised after the 56-year-old was sacked within nine months into the job.

According to El Chiringuito, the Mancunian giants are still said to hold an interest in the Germany international and they could demand the midfielder's services, should Los Blancos return for Pogba at the turn of the year.

Kroos has previously cited that he could retire from the game at the conclusion of his Los Blancos contract in 2023, and it will be interesting to see whether he is tempted by the challenge offered by United.

Pogba, on the other hand, has less than two years remaining on his existing deal and it appears that he could be heading through the Old Trafford exit door soon with talks over an extension at a standstill.