Coffee is for closers: Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid close deal for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba

According to a report from ESPN, Bayern Munich’s David Alaba had some help in making his decision to join Real Madrid over FC Barcelona.

Alaba leaned on one of his old Bayern Munich teammates, Toni Kroos, to help guide his decision:

President Joan Laporta looked to take advantage of his relationship with Alaba’s agent, Pini Zahavi, to push through a deal but soon threw in the towel when he realized the Austria international already had a loose agreement with Madrid.

Barca’s financial situation meant they were unable to stretch to the money being offered by Madrid. Sources also told ESPN that Alaba’s relationship with midfielder Toni Kroos, a former teammate at Bayern, also helped tip the balance in Madrid’s favor.

Madrid’s interest in Alaba pre-dates Laporta’s election as Barca president in March. In February, sources told ESPN the La Liga champions led the chase for the player, despite the interest from Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool.

It seems that with FC Barcelona closing in, Real Madrid relied on Kroos to help close the deal. Kroos, of course, joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich back in 2014.

I guess Kroos has earned himself some coffee with that sales pitch.