Newcastle United is potentially set to enter a competitive race with several Premier League competitors in pursuit of a highly skilled player, according to an exciting new transfer report. The Magpies have been dealt a significant blow as Sandro Tonali faces a 10-month football ban for violating betting regulations during his time at AC Milan, a club he joined as a marquee signing during the summer transfer window. This means that Tonali won’t be able to play for the rest of this season and is expected to return in early 2024/25.
The loss of Tonali has had a noticeable impact on Newcastle’s performance, as their recent 2-2 draw against Wolves suggests. To fill this void, it appears imperative for Eddie Howe to secure a high-caliber midfielder in the upcoming January transfer window. Several names have been linked to the club as potential replacements for the 23-year-old, including Kalvin Phillips, Ruben Neves, and N’Golo Kante, among others. Furthermore, an illustrious figure has now emerged as a potential candidate.
Newcastle is reportedly among the Premier League clubs considering a move for Toni Kroos, whose future at Real Madrid is currently uncertain. The Daily Star reports that the five-time Champions League winner is no longer a regular starter for the Spanish giants, having made only six of his 12 appearances this season from the bench.
With Kroos’ Real contract entering its final eight months, he is open to a move and is looking for a new challenge to cap his illustrious career. Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle, and Chelsea are among the top half of the table clubs that are aware of the situation concerning the German central midfielder, who turns 34 in January.
Kroos could prove to be an exciting addition for Newcastle in the January transfer window if he departs from Madrid, given his undeniable footballing pedigree. Although he is now 33 years old, Kroos’ career achievements speak for themselves, including winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany, earning 106 caps for his national team, and securing five Champions League titles (four with Madrid and one with Bayern Munich). While he may not possess the same level of endurance and game-changing ability as in his prime, Kroos remains a top-class player and could be a brilliant addition for Newcastle following Tonali’s suspension, being labeled as an “elite player” by journalist Henry Winter.
| Toni Kroos’ key career achievements | Total |
|---|---|
| Champions League winner | 5 |
| La Liga champion | 3 |
| Bundesliga champion | 3 |
| World Cup winner | 1 |
With the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, and Sean Longstaff alongside him at Newcastle, Kroos could orchestrate the game effectively from a deep-lying position, thanks to his exceptional ball control and proficiency in tight spaces.