Pundit can’t believe Man City could sign Toni Kroos as eight-figure January approach made
Noel Whelan has warned Man City against a move for Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Premier League champions must look to their academy system in order to supplement their first team.
According to Spanish outlet Sport (14 November), Man City have approached Kroos, 32, with a contract offer worth €12million-a-year (£10.5million) with his Real Madrid deal coming to an end.
The German midfielder can enter pre-contract negotiations with interested clubs on 1 January.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 31 October that Man City are worried Gundogan will snub their new contract offer and leave on a free transfer at the end of this season.
The Premier League champions have a number of promising young talents in their ranks – and hold a reported £40million buy-back option for Southampton wonderkid Romeo Lavia, 18.
Whelan
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I’d be very surprised if they go down the route of getting a player of Kroos’ age.
“They’ve already proven that they’ve got the players coming through the academy who can fit into the senior side for a long, long time.
“I don’t think it’s an avenue they need to go down. They’ve got enough players in that system who have been brought up with the City style of play.
“That would mean they don’t need to spend any money or pay out any wages on a free transfer.
“This is not a necessity for me. When I see some of the youngsters coming through, that’s the way forward – not going for an older guard.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Jack Grealish “devastated” by Man City development.