Germany international Toni Kroos' decision to leave Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for Real Madrid was reportedly due to this particular reason.
Ronaldo Breaks Messi UCL Record
In 2014, the 27-year-old was sold by the Bavarians to the La Liga champions for a fee €25 million (R399 million).
Stefan Reinartz, a former teammate of Kroos' at Bayer Leverkusen, has now claimed that the Bayern allowed the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner to leave the club because they did not think the midfielder was a world-class player.
"Bayern didn't make enough of an effort to keep him. (Manchester) City and United also loved him and really wanted him, but Madrid beat them to it by signing him for €25 million," Reinartz said, as quoted by Marca.
"He is a friend of mine, and I know the whole story. He was offered a new contract, but he was aware that (Mario) Gotze was also there and was roughly the same age as him and he wanted to be paid more.
"Bayern didn't want to pay him €10 million, and Rummenigge told Toni that he wasn't going to get that money because he wasn't a world-class player.
"But Toni didn't leave over money, he needs the confidence of other people, and Real recognised that. That's why he left."
English Star To Break Neymar's World Record Transfer?
Kroos has made 155 appearances for Los Blancos so far, scoring eight goals and assisting a further 45 strikes.
Do you think the Germany international has gone on to prove Bayern wrong? Have your say in the comments section below.
