Manchester City switch focus to Real Madrid star after failed Riyad Mahrez transfer

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is reportedly changing his transfer strategy in the wake of missing out on the signing of Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez.

According to Don Balon, Guardiola is keen to move on from the perceived ‘fiasco’ by focusing his efforts instead on bringing in Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.

The Spanish outlet claims Kroos is strongly considering his future at the Bernabeu and could be set to be reunited with his old boss Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

Toni Kroos has been linked with a transfer to Manchester City

The Germany international spent a season playing under Guardiola at Bayern Munich before leaving for Real Madrid in the summer of 2014, where he has continued to establish himself as one of the finest players in the world in his position.

While clearly not a direct alternative to Mahrez in any sense, it may be that Guardiola now feels strengthening his midfield options would be a better solution to solving his squad’s issues.

Mahrez was being eyed up just after an injury to Leroy Sane, but with the winger soon to return to the City setup, as confirmed as he announced he’s back in training on his official Twitter page, it may be that a similar style of attacker is no longer urgently needed.

City’s midfield, however, could do with one or two tweaks as Kroos could no doubt be a fine long-term replacement for ageing duo Yaya Toure and Fernandinho.

It remains to be seen what this will mean for Mahrez, though the Daily Star have since linked the Algerian with Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola looks set to cool his interest in Riyad Mahrez
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