Real Madrid News
Real Madrid targets for midfield – PSG superstar top choice; Rodri Plan B, ex-academy ace Plan C
Real Madrid have made the signing of a new midfielder a top priority heading into the summer transfer window.
The failure of the current players in the squad to step up and fill the void left by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric has prompted the Merengues to address the problem in the summer.
Various names have been thrown around as potential options for Real Madrid – ranging from top stars in world football to emerging young talents.
Vitinha remains the top target
Providing an update on the situation, Cadena SER reports that PSG superstar Vitinha is still the top target for Real Madrid to reinforce the midfield next season. The situation has been developing quietly since October.
The Portuguese international does not want to make any move until the ongoing season with PSG is fully defined, given that they are in the Champions League quarterfinal and are involved in the Ligue 1 title race with Lens.
However, Real Madrid will not wait forever for a sign from Vitinha. As such, the next month will be decisive.
Rodri and Nico Paz the alternatives
Meanwhile, Manchester City midfield superstar Rodri is seen as Plan B by Real Madrid if things with Vitinha do not progress as planned.
Because of that, the Spanish capital giants have reacted positively to recent comments from the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, who opened the door slightly to the possibility of joining the club. That kind of signal is exactly what they would like to see from Vitinha as well.
There is also a third option on the table: former academy gem Nico Paz. He is seen as a long-term investment who could also become an immediate opportunity.
Real Madrid still control his situation at Como and know that his value is rising. The Merengues planning to activate a buy-back clause, which would cost around €12 million – a relatively low figure compared to his current market value.
The idea would be to bring him back, assess him within the squad, and then decide on his role.
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.
