Reports suggest that La Liga giants Real Madrid have zeroed in on the player they want to bring in to replace their ageing midfield maestro Toni Kroos. As per the reports, Los Blancos plan to replace 34-year-old Kroos with another German star.
Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, who was instrumental to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen's wonderrun under Xabi Alonso, is the player linked to Real Madrid. The Spanish club intends to sign the 21-year-old in the summer of 2025, ESPN reported.
Kroos, who recently returned to the national fold from retirement, in multiple occasions had hinted at his desire to hang up his boots. However, Real Madrid managed to convince him to extend his contract with the club. The World Cup winner had declared in the past that his playing days will come to an end once his contract with Real Madrid runs out and that he will not play for another club.
Kroos, fondly called "The German sniper" by Madridistas for his inpeccable passing accuracy, has a contract that ends this summer. He is expected to take a call on whethere to stay with the 14-time European champions in May.
Having won the Bundesliga already, Florian Wirtz will feature in the Europa League summit clash next. Leverkusen is up against Serie A side Atlanta at Ireland's Aviva Stadium on May 23 for the coveted trophy.
The reports claim that following the extraordinary season, the young German had attracted the interest of other European clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. However, as things stand, Wirtz wishes to stay with Leverkusen who have now qualified for the UEFA Champions League. His immediate priority is a productive Euro 2024 campaign with his national team.
Wirtz is a fan of Real Madrid thanks to their constant success in Europe and La Liga, ESPN said. Thus if it ultimately comes to his decision, the German is likely to choose Carlo Ancelotti- managed team over other bidders. On the financial side of things, signing Florian Wirtz will cost Madrid at least €150 million, the report said.
In a midfield brimming with young blood, Wirtz is expected to take up the position currently occupied by Jude Bellingham. The Englishman, meanwhile, is likely to be used further deeper alongside Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni or even Federico Valverde who can operate on the right wing.
Earlier reports also suggested that Real have asked Kroos's longtime partner and fellow midfield veteran Luka Modric to stay for another year with the club amidst speculations that the Croatia skipper will leave Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the current campaign.
Having secured the La Liga already, Real Madrid are preparing for the UCL final against Borussia Dortmund.
