Madrid's Football Giants Select Potential Kroos Successor, According to AS Reports
Real Madrid has identified who they intend to pursue and try to recruit as a potential replacement for midfield maestro Toni Kroos, as per reports from AS, citing unnamed sources.
Despite showing no signs of decline and delivering what many believed was his finest season in Madrid colours since his 2014 move from Bayern Munich at a bargain price, Kroos announced his retirement plans before the 2023/24 Champions League final.
Fortunately, Kroos could hang up his boots as a treble winner, thanks to Carlo Ancelotti's guidance which led the team to La Liga, Spanish Super Cup, and Super Cup victories, as well as overcoming Kroos' compatriots Borussia Dortmund in the UCL final at Wembley.
Despite Ancelotti having an array of talented midfielders at his disposal, none of them possess the qualities of Kroos, a fact that has become increasingly apparent throughout the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.
Things have improved somewhat since then, but legends such as Jorge Valdano who was among the vocal critics criticized the team following a 2-1 loss to AC Milan in European competition.
"The departure of Toni Kroos was underestimated, and it's in the midfield where Real Madrid struggle to find balance," Valdano argued on Spanish television.
"Kroos' presence was soothing. He introduced patience when the team needed it and mental sharpness when rapid acceleration was required.
"There are many aspects that Real Madrid have lost without Kroos, and they have yet to find a way to compensate for them, even with some of the world's best players," Valdano continued.
Although Madrid will not make any moves during the January transfer window, they reportedly view Spain international Martin Zubimendi as a "natural replacement for Kroos," according to AS.
In order to secure Zubimendi's services, Madrid only needs to trigger his $63 million (€60 million) release clause at Real Sociedad, which was agreed upon when Zubimendi signed an extension to his contract until mid-2027.
Landing Zubimendi would also be a significant blow to Madrid's arch-rivals FC Barcelona, who failed to come up with the necessary funds to release the pivot when former coach Xavi Hernandez viewed him as the ideal successor to Sergio Busquets during the summer of 2023.
After recognizing the need for a replacement in the midfield, Real Madrid is reportedly targeting Spain international Martin Zubimendi as a potential successor to Toni Kroos. The $63 million (€60 million) release clause for Zubimendi, agreed upon in his contract extension at Real Sociedad, seems to be within Madrid's reach. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona missed an opportunity to sign Zubimendi during the summer of 2023, as former coach Xavi Hernandez saw him as the ideal successor to Sergio Busquets.
