Toni Kroos, Manchester City, Cityzens, Etihad Stadium, Premier League
Manchester City have been praised by Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell after a fresh transfer development involving Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.
The Lowdown: Man City chasing Kroos?
The Sky Blues have been linked with a surprise swoop for the big-name Galacticos midfielder in recent weeks after reports from Spain.
Pep Guardiola’s side currently have an abundance of world-class midfield technicians but could lose club captain and 2021/22 title-winning hero Ilkay Gundogan at the end of this campaign. The Germany international’s current deal is due to expire at the end of 2022/23, potentially motivating City to explore alternatives.
Enter Kroos, who is now being targeted by Guardiola according to Spanish media outlet Sport. They now claim that City have made a ‘move’ for the 32-year-old in the form of a contract offer worth up to €14m (£12.2m) per year.
The Latest: Campbell thrilled…
Former top-flight striker Campbell has since hailed the Premier League champions for this apparent approach.
Indeed, the ex-Arsenal marksman claimed that Kroos is ‘lethal’ and ‘absolutely top class’, with there being ‘no one better’ to strengthen Guardiola’s midfield options at Eastlands in his view.
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He said to Football Insider about Kroos: “He’s an absolutely top-class player. When you’re a possession-based team like Man City, Kroos has got all the right clubs on his CV. There’s no one better.
“He would help Haaland even more. He likes to run in behind – just give it to Kroos, make your run, and the ball will appear. He’s lethal from outside the box, too.
“There’s going to be a changing of the guard at Man City, and they’re not going to stop pursuing quality. He’s a born winner, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he fancied it at Man City.”
The Verdict: Bang on the money…
Kroos doesn’t just possess quality; his illustrious CV of silverware indicates that he would bring a winning mentality to City and further strengthen the dressing room.
He would also arguably fit in like a glove to Guardiola’s system as an elite passing midfielder (his 94.6% passing success rate this term exceeds every midfielder at the Etihad Stadium) and take up Gundogan’s position with relative ease.
If City can get a deal done, you could argue that there really isn’t anyone better to potentially succeed Gundogan in terms of quality, although Kroos’ age could be the only point of contention.
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