Manchester City are reportedly looking to sign Toni Kroos from Real Madrid despite the German insisting that he isn’t interested in a move.
New boss Pep Guardiola is said to be a fan of Toni Kroos, having tried in vain to keep the German international in Bavaria during his time at Bayern Munich. Kroos moved to Real Madrid from the German champions for a fee of £21.5 million two years ago. According to reports from the Sunday Mirror, Manchester City’s new manager now wants a reunion with the midfielder.
The news comes just days after Kroos insisted he does not want a move and is looking to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu. Talking to Sport1, the German international said, “I am always thinking about my future. If I started to make a comment about every rumour, I would not be able to stop talking about it.”
“Another rumour said that I would return to Bayern. I still have four years of my contract with Real. That should be enough.”
The Spanish giants are not looking to sell the German international any time soon, meaning that any club interested in the midfielder would have to activate the release clause in his contract before attempting to negotiate with the player. Above all, it is still not known whether Kroos would be interested in the prospect of moving to the Premier League to reunite with Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City have already completed the signings of Spanish forward Nolito, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Australia international Aaron Mooy from Melbourne City. The Citizens are unlikely to be fazed by the reported £63 million release clause the midfielder has in his Real Madrid contract and could activate it in a bid to convince Kroos to wear the sky blue of Manchester City.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva could move to Besiktas
According to reports from Turkish newspaper Fanatik, Besiktas are looking to snap up the 29-year old and the Brazilian looks open to a move to the Turkish champions. Lucas has thrown his Liverpool future up in the air after his recent interview to Radio Joven Pan as reported by the Daily Post.
“There have been some changes last season, with the coaching change,” he said. “I still do not know exactly what will be my role within the group, but I am returning (to England) on Thursday to start the pre-season. It is the first transfer window in which Klopp will participate more actively in Liverpool, so I’ll just get a better idea when I return.”
Lucas Leiva moved to Liverpool from Gremio in 2007 for a fee of around £6 million. Since then, he has gone on to make 222 appearances for the Merseyside club, scoring just one goal in the process. However, his role at Anfield has largely been to break up play at the centre of the park and move the ball forward from the back.
This is not the first time Besiktas have shown interest in the Brazilian. According to reports in the Liverpool Echo, the Black Eagles reportedly had a loan move rejected by the Reds last summer. Lucas still has a year left on his contract at Liverpool, but may be persuaded to leave Anfield by the lure of Champions League football and guarantee of first-team football in Turkey.
