Manchester City are reportedly hoping to land Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, should he be sold to make way for Paul Pogba at the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to the English newspaper the Daily Mirror, the Citizens have made an inquiry about the availability of the Germany international and, in turn, “have received encouragement that a deal may be possible.”
If Los Blancos are to match Manchester United’s efforts to sign Juventus star Pogba – who could cost upward of £100 million – selling Kroos would not only provide them with the capital they need, but would also free up a space in the starting XI.
Real want £50 million for the 26-year-old, which is just over double what they paid for him in 2014. The player is said to be content in the Spanish capital, but could be open to a move.
The Premier League side have yet to make “direct contact” with Los Blancos, though, and seem to be proceeding cautiously — as they’re “wary about being used to engineer a pay rise for Kroos.”
City boss Pep Guardiola managed Kroos at Bayern Munich and remains a keen admirer in him, seemingly wishing that he’d been able to work with him for longer than the one campaign they enjoyed together before the German joined Real.
The midfielder provides a calming presence on the ball and his distribution is impeccable. He not only controls games from the middle of the park, but also uses his array of passing to create chances for his team-mates and he would be a phenomenal signing for City.
Real Madrid paid Bayern Munich £24m to sign Kroos two years ago, but his value has doubled since then. The playmaker is said to be happy in Spain but would not rule out a move, while City are ready to splash the cash – as they look to build a team to challenge for the Premier League title, after under-performing last season.
Hi. Man City fan here. I’d like Kroos at City. Very comfortable on the ball. Excellent distribution. Do Madrid fans rate him as equal to Pogba?