Real Madrid News
Liverpool pushing to renew Real Madrid-linked defender with long-term contract offer
One of the main areas that Real Madrid intend to strengthen in the summer transfer window is the centre-back department.
The Merengues are almost certain to bid goodbye to David Alaba at the end of the season. And the continued fitness issues bogging down the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao mean that at least one new addition is necessary.
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool, to that end, remains a player that Real Madrid are tracking, even though the interest in the Frenchman has been on and off in recent times.
The fact that his contract expires in June makes him an enticing target for Los Blancos, although there have been some concerns about his performances this term.
Liverpool pushing for Konate extension
Amidst all this, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that Liverpool are pressing hard to renew Konate’s contract and prolong his stay at Anfield.
Indeed, the Reds have already tabled a long-term contract offer for the French international and are continuing to push him to sign the deal.
The update further suggests that Liverpool’s chances of securing Konate’s renewal remain strong despite him attracting interest from several top clubs across Europe.
As mentioned previously, Real Madrid have had their eyes on the former RB Leipzig ace for some time now, but the interest seemed to have cooled down of late.
But, with other targets slipping away, Los Merengues have rekindled their pursuit of Konate and have him as an option to strengthen their backline for the summer.
But with Liverpool making strong efforts to convince their player to sign an extension and continue in Merseyside, only time will tell how things turn out as far as Real Madrid’s interest in him is concerned.
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
