Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend’s return to the club edges closer
According to AS, the return of Toni Kroos to Real Madrid is increasingly close to becoming a reality. His comeback to the club is not linked to the appointment of a future head coach.
It is a completely separate matter and is progressing independently from any managerial negotiations.
Kroos returns home
Several weeks ago, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez decided it was time to begin working on bringing back one of the key symbols of the team that dominated Europe, winning six Champions League titles in ten years.
From that moment, the club began efforts to facilitate the return of Kroos, who left a lasting mark during his decade at the club as a player.
Kroos became a reference point and an example for both Real Madrid supporters and many rivals. This is why the club’s leadership is interested in bringing back a figure admired for both his footballing quality and his conduct on and off the pitch.
Initial talks have already taken place, and within Valdebebas there is a belief that his return could become a reality in the coming days.
Since retiring, the former 2014 World Cup winner with Germany has been fully dedicated to the football academy he established.
Throughout the season, he has been seen on several occasions at the club’s training facilities with his teams, acting as a leader, coach, and mentor, passing on his understanding of the game to younger players.
Not linked with Klopp move
In recent days, there has been speculation that Kroos’ return could be linked to the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. This is not the case.
The idea of bringing the former Real Madrid player back into the daily environment at Valdebebas predates any decision regarding a change of coach. His return is more aligned with strengthening the group of former players working within the club.
As it stands, no specific role or position has been defined for Kroos in his increasingly likely return to Real Madrid.
There has been speculation about a possible partnership with Klopp if he were to be appointed head coach next season. What is clear is that Kroos’ return to the club is edging closer.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
