Pep Guardiola plotting City move for Toni Kroos

Manchester City are planning to launch a bid for Toni Kroos at the end of the season. The Real Madrid midfielder is one of a list of names that Pep Guardiola, who will take over at the Etihad Stadium in the summer, has in mind to regenerate the club and the current Bayern Munich manager has already asked City sporting director Txiki Beguiristain to look into the possibility.

AS understands that there was an approach to Kroos’ advisors in January to sound out the Germany international over his willingness to leave the Bernabéu but Kroos is reluctant to call time on his stay in Madrid, particularly after Zinedine Zidane’s promotion to the first team job. The midfielder arrived in the summer of 2014 from Bayern Munich after winning the World Cup with Germany and has a contract with Real until 2020. However, City are not deterred and intend to make a play for Kroos when the current season ends.

Yaya Touré has all-but decided to leave the Etihad at the end of the season, according to his agent and the City board see Kroos as the ideal replacement for the Ivory Coast midfielder.

Kroos’ transfer fee will not pose a problem for the Premier League big spenders, owned by Sheikh Mansour, and The Telegraph reported that the club will place 200 million euros at Guardiola’s disposal for the summer transfer market. Guardiola’s imminent installation at the Etihad is also a huge boon to the club’s pursuit of Kroos. “It was a great honour for me to be his coach. I tried to convince him to stay at Bayern, but…” said Guardiola of his former charge. Kroos reciprocated in an interview with Die Zeit in December: “Guardiola is the best coach I’ve ever had…”

However, City are far from the only Premier League club interested in acquiring Kroos’ services. City rivals Manchester United are also keen on bringing the World Cup winner to Old Trafford, having tried to sign him in 2014 when Real pipped them to Kroos’ signature.