Toni Kroos transfer latest: Chelsea set to join bidding for Bayern Munich midfielder

Toni Kroos could still end up in the Barclays Premier League after claims Chelsea are ready to join the bidding if he becomes a free agent next year.

A proposed move to Manchester United may have collapsed, after new manager Louis Van Gaal decided against pursuing their interest, but the Bayern Munich midfielder remains at loggerheads with club bosses over renewing a contract that is entering its final 12 months.

Even an attempt to end conjecture he may be Old Trafford-bound left the door open for other clubs to start drawing up wage offers to try and tempt him away this time next year.

Target: Chelsea are ready to join the bidding for Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos

Brazil bound: Kroos is with the Germany squad ready for an assault on the World Cup

‘There has been a lot of speculation, but I won’t be going to Manchester United,’ he said. ‘I can tell you for sure I will be playing for Bayern Munich next season.’

According to sources in Munich, his refusal to commit himself to Bayern beyond the one remaining season on his current contract has alerted Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who would welcome the chance to add the 24-year old’s goalscoring flair from midfield to his attacking options.

Kroos would be free to talk to Chelsea representatives at the turn of the year, and there is little doubt they could meet wage demands that have so far scuppered any prospect of a new deal being thrashed out at Bayern.

Not for me: New Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal dismissed Kroos from his lost of targets

Weighing up: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho may try and tempt Kroos to Stamford Bridge

Incoming: Bayern are set to welcome Robert Lewandowski and want to maintain their pay scale

Sportsmail revealed in February how Bayern bosses were digging their heels in over Kroos’ bold bid to more than double his earnings from just over £60,000 a week to around £150,000.

Kroos is currently in the middle band of earners, whose pay ranges from £50,000 to £80,000 a week, but feels he should be elevated to the elite section, where the likes of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery pocket around £150,000.

Bayern are about to add Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski to their list of top earners but are determined to maintain the balance of their pay scale on current lines and adamant Kroos cannot move up.