Professor of University of Bedfordshire, Garry Whannel, coined a term ‘vortexuality’. Don’t get confused with the term. It means, modern media outlets (be it new media or old media) have a tendency to regurgitate any hot topics, until the news revolves like a vortex. Put simply, same news, re-framed again and again, to draw attention, or in case of online media, generating hits.
The transfer saga of Toni Kroos is one of them. Whatever you write about him, is bound to give you profit.
Why? a) Because he is one of the top players in the world, b) he is flirting with his contract situation with Bayern c) has dropped hints that he might leave the club and d) he is linked with one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United.
In January, when Moyes made his scouting trip to Germany, he was escorted by Kroos’ agent to watch Bayern’s win over Monchengladbach, where according to British press, the Scot was alerted to the contract stand-off between the player and his Munich bosses.
That’s more than enough to start another ‘School for Rumour.’ The Metro claimed that Manchester United are ready to offer Toni Kroos a deal worth £250,000-a-week to convince the midfielder move to Old Trafford.
And in March, Kroos dropped the biggest bombshell by claiming – ‘it is no secret that Premier League is a possibility for me.’
Spanish media feels that Real Madrid are also interested in the player, with El Confidencial claiming Kroos wants to join the Galacticos.
However, we didn’t believe the report, as it came from FIFA agent Francois Gallardo, who has a great reputation of spreading lies. Remember – Messi to leave Barcelona story? So, forgive us, if we are skeptical about it.
Yesterday, Arsenal-boy The Mirror’s John Cross made few bold claims like a) Toni Kroos is ready to join Manchester United, b) has told Bayern and Germany team-mates that he is determined to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Readers might have noticed, we didn’t cover that story. We were actually looking for a response from the German press.
Already, British newspapers have made a mess of their reputation by writing nonsensical headlines about Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, and later apologised as well.
The Bild has now attacked Daily Mirror again for unsettling the Bayern camp with false stories, ahead of their big match against Manchester United.
Kroos consultant Volker Struth told BILD: “We are confronted with a variety of rumors for months, but will continue not get to learn. But the moment I believe that Toni plays at least in Bavaria until 2015.”
There we go, a classic example of vortexuality is on our hands.
On a second thought, reading between the lines of Kroos’ consultant, does it not giving a hint Kroos could leave the club at some point of time in future? Mind, this comes after Bayern have maintained their stance clearly that Kroos will not be sold under any circumstances.
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