Manchester City new manager Pep Guardiola reportedly requests Toni Kroos transfer

Pep Guardiola will conduct a major squad rebuild at Manchester City this summer -- and one of his main targets is a world football superstar.

According to reports in Spain, the latest from Diario AS, the Catalan manager has requested the City board to pursue Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos in the upcoming transfer window. The World Cup winner is one of Madrid and Germany's most important players, and has everything Guardiola looks for in a midfielder for his possession-based style of play.

Guardiola and Kroos had huge success working together at Bayern Munich in Pep's first season in Germany. He changed Kroos' position, from an attacking midfielder to a distributor playing just in front of the defense. His passing skills and vision started to shine under Guardiola, and he became one of the world's best pivotes, or defensive midfielders.

Kroos then accepted a major offer from Real Madrid, and in his first season with Los Blancos under coach Carlo Ancelotti, he continued to play the same position and enjoy a fantastic form. After a difficult few months this season, he found his best football and won back his undisputed starting spot in the midfield.

The rumor makes sense, since Guardiola is a huge fan of Kroos and he would be the ideal alternative to replace Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan, who might not join the Citizens after a serious knee injury. Kroos is a fantastic player, perfect for Guardiola's style, and if the deal happens, City will become a very good Pep Team.