Mikel Arteta reviews the Man City game
Manchester City are reportedly plotting a move for midfielder Toni Kroos at the end of the season when he becomes a free agent. The veteran star signed a one-year contract extension with Real Madrid this summer, but the Santiago Bernabeu outfit are yet to decide whether they want to retain the services of the playmaker beyond 2024.
City splashed the cash over the summer to add a sprinkling of talent in each department of their squad. Josko Gvariol arrived from RB Leipzig to add quality on the left side of defence, with Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic signing as midfield cover.
Jeremy Doku also joined City from Rennes to replace Riyad Mahrez, though Pep Guardiola’s side are reportedly already looking at who they will target when the campaign concludes. According to Defensa Central, the Etihad Stadium outfit are plotting a move for Kroos next summer and are hopeful of luring him away from Madrid by offering him a significant financial package.
City are said to be willing to double his wages and offer him a two-year contract that will see him earn £13million per season to persuade the Germany international to finally make the move to the Premier League, having been linked with numerous English clubs throughout his career.
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Guardiola worked closely with Kroos at Bayern Munich, though their relationship ended on a sour note after a disagreement over a substitution saw the playmaker sold. However, given that the City boss is said to be pushing to reunite with the 33-year-old, there appears to be plenty of water under the bridge now.
It is not uncommon for Guardiola to prioritise a player’s ability over his personal relationship with them. The Spaniard did not often see eye-to-eye with Thiago Alcantara, now of Liverpool, when he was at Barcelona – though he demanded that the Bayern bosses acquired his services when he headed to the Allianz Arena.
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Guardiola told the transfer chiefs that he wanted ‘Thiago or nothing’ when he joined the Bundesliga outfit, and they promptly adhered to the demands of the new first-team boss. He later explained: “He was the only player I wanted. He has so much quality – above all his mentality. He always thinks everything is possible. He has no fear.”
There appear to be distinct similarities between Thiago’s situation and how City are now pursuing Kroos, with Guardiola somewhat proving that he is willing to prioritise what a player will add to his squad over whether their personalities clash.
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