Toni Kroos Transfer Rumours: Latest Gossip Surrounding Star

Updates from Thursday, July 17

Bayern Munich has officially announced an agreement has been reached for the transfer of Toni Kroos:

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There have been some huge transfers this summer. Alexis Sanchez joined Arsenal. Luis Suarez signed with Barcelona. Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa saddled up with Chelsea.

But surprisingly, Real Madrid have been quiet in the transfer market thus far. That's about to change, however, as the club seem quite close to bringing Bayern Munich and Germany star Toni Kroos to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Marcus Christenson of The Guardian passes along the details of the likely transfer:

This is no baseless rumour, mind you—Kroos has already verified he'll be heading to Los Blancos.

"Tomorrow or the day after I could go to Madrid," Kroos told Spanish paper AS, via Football Espana.

So there you have it.

It's an excellent addition for Real Madrid. Kroos made 29 appearances (24 starts) for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last season, scoring two goals, providing four assists and earning a 7.26 average match rating from WhoScored.com. He also played a huge role in the team's Champions League campaign, making 12 appearances (11 starts), scoring a goal and adding two assists while earning a 7.42 mark.

But while Kroos was quite good for his club, he was arguably even better for his country at this year's World Cup in Brazil, as Germany won the title. He started all seven of the team's games, scoring two goals, providing three assists and earning a 7.7 average match rating.

On a German side loaded with talent, he managed to stand out.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

For Los Blancos, he'll slot into the midfield three next to other talented players like Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso, Isco and Asier Illarramendi (Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira are rumoured to be on the way out, per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express).

Kroos is one of the top playmakers in the world today from his midfield position, preferring to play farther forward but capable of being a deep-lying facilitator as well. His service on corners and free-kicks is superb, and he has a devastating shot from distance.

The thought of he and Modric pairing to orchestrate the attack for Real Madrid has to be frightening for opposing defences. Adding a well-rounded, experienced midfielder like Kroos is a major addition for Los Blancos.

And adding a player with multiple league titles, a Champions League conquest and now a World Cup triumph under his belt means that the pressure that comes with playing for Los Blancos won't be an issue. Kroos should be a major hit in Madrid.