Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to lure Real Madrid star with €15 million per season offer - Reports
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola reportedly wants a reunion with Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos and to bring the German to the Etihad.
The Hard Tackle reports that the Cityzens are interested in signing Kroos, who spent one season playing under Guardiola at Bayern Munich. The 33-year-old is entering the final few months of his contract with Los Blancos.
Manchester City are prepared to pay Kroos €15 million per year to help convince him of a move to the Premier League. They will be free to strike a pre-contract agreement with the Real Madrid veteran midfielder in January.
Kroos is slowly fading out of Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI plans at the Santiago Bernabeu following the signings of Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni. He has started five of 11 games across competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
The German previously expressed his desire to continue playing under Guardiola at Bayern before he departed in 2014. He said in 2020 (via Metro):
"I loved playing for him. And, of course, I could have renewed my contract at Bayern. But I didn't believe it would be a good idea to sign an agreement just for the coach."
Kroos made 51 appearances under Guardiola at the Allianz Arena, scoring four goals and providing nine assists. Much of his development came under the Manchester City manager.
Real Madrid board member reveals Jude Bellingham rejected Manchester City
Los Blancos board member Juan Manuel Otero has claimed that Bellingham turned down a move to Manchester City in the summer. The English superstar ended up joining Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a €103 million deal.
However, Otero claims that the Cityzens were speaking with Bellingham's father when the race was on for his signature. He told Remontada Blanca Twitch channel (via Tribal Football):
"People from Manchester City came to eat and told us that they had been talking to Bellingham. They said that their father had entertained them a little by giving them hope, but Jude said no, that he wanted to play for Real Madrid."
Bellingham has hit the ground running at the Bernabeu with 10 goals and three assists in 10 games across competitions. He explained his desire to join the La Liga giants during his unveiling as a Real Madrid player (via transfer expert Fabrizio Romano):
"I’m joining the greatest club in the world and it’s not about money.”
The England international has taken the step up to Madrid in his stride, showing maturity beyond his years. It appears he snubbed a move to City in favor of joining Los Merengues.