Kroos not distracted by transfer talk

07/07/2016

Toni Kroos insists he is fully focused on Germany’s Euro 2016 campaign, amid speculation he could move to Manchester City this summer.

The midfielder has been arguably the key player in his country’s run to the semi-finals in France, with his metronomic passing often setting the tone for his side.

Joachim Low’s men face the hosts in Marseille on Thursday in what is expected to be a true clash of styles, with the Germans tipped to dominate possession while Les Bleus look to hit them on the break. Germany are 2.88 to win at the Stade Velodrome, with the draw 3.00 and France priced at 2.80. Kroos will almost certainly be at the heart of things for Die Mannschaft but could be distracted following rumours linking him with a move to Manchester City.

The 26-year-old joined Real Madrid after his country’s World Cup victory in 2014 and, having already said he will not return to Germany in the future, his former Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad has sparked plenty of speculation.

He himself is not ruling out a transfer but for now insists his concentration is fully on helping his nation win the European Championships. “I ruled out quite a while ago playing for a club in Germany again and this is still the case,” he told Sport Bild.

“We’re in a tournament here where my total focus is on the semi-finals,” he said. “You know that you should never rule anything out in football, but I enjoy a great deal of respect from Real.” Both Die Mannschaft and the French are 2.88 to win Euro 2016, while Portugal, who defeated Wales in Wednesday’s first semi-final, are the 2.75 favourites.