Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target’s manager not ruling out January sale: “Can no longer say no”
Cody Gakpo has attracted a lot of admirers in recent weeks, including Real Madrid, thanks to his performances for PSV Eindhoven as well as his goal-scoring exploits at the FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands.
The 23-year-old Dutch ace has already contributed to 30 goals for his club this season (13G, 17A) in just 24 matches. He backed it up with three goals in five matches for the Oranje at the World Cup in Qatar.
Gakpo’s displays have put him on the radars of several top clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Recent reports suggested that PSV Eindhoven were expecting an offer from Los Blancos for Gakpo as a possible long-term heir to Karim Benzema.
And now, the Eredivisie outfit’s manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy, has claimed that Gakpo could leave in January even though he would prefer for the forward to stay at the club until the end of the season.
Speaking to Voetbal International (h/t AS), the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker said: “You just know that there comes a time when you can no longer say no. If I can choose, I prefer that he leave in the summer. But he could leave now.”
Given Gakpo’s performances, there is unlikely to be a shortage of suitors for the 23-year-old. Manchester United had shown an interest in him in the summer itself but had shown reluctance to match his €60 million valuation.
There is a feeling that PSV could demand a higher sum, with club director Marcel Brands recently indicating that Gakpo will only be sold for a club-record fee.
With Manchester United likely to make an attempt to sign him again in January, whether Real Madrid are willing to throw their hats into the ring remains to be seen, especially after they splashed a significant sum to secure the future acquisition of Brazilian wonderkid Endrick.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder trained away from the group last week, but has no injury – report
With the international break underway, several Real Madrid players have been called up for national team assignments. The stars who have not travelled for international duty have continued to work at the club’s Valdebebas training facility to prepare for the restart.
Toni Kroos is one such player who has remained in Madrid, having retired from international football back in 2021.
However, there had been concerns growing around the 33-year-old’s physical condition as he regularly did indoor work last week and was not spotted in group training with his teammates.
Now, Sergio Quirante has come up with an update on Kroos’ situation, stating that even though the midfielder largely did individual work inside the facilities over the last week, he is fine and has no injuries.
Taking advantage of the international break, the former Bayern Munich superstar is understood to have gone through an individual program to prepare for the final, decisive stretch of the 2022/23 season.
Kroos not being injured comes as a big positive for Real Madrid, ahead of important games against Real Valladolid and Barcelona within the first five days of April.
The rest of the Real Madrid midfield contingent – Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Dani Ceballos – are all away on international duties and could return with some fatigue from the travel.
So, it is important that Kroos is fully fit and ready to go as Real Madrid look to cut down the gap to the top of the table in La Liga and also make it to the finals of the Copa del Rey by overturning a first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the semi-finals.
Kroos has played 37 matches this season, chipping in with two goals and five assists in the process. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, it is still unclear whether he will renew or hang up his boots.
