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For the last two years, Real Madrid have been on the hunt for their perfect Toni Kroos replacement following his retirement after the 2023/24 season. The hunt, however, has become more of a wild goose chase as the months go by. Los Blancos have tried a number of different options in Kroos' position, trying to replicate what the German brought to the team, but have failed to find a solution that comes close to the midfield legend.
Luka Modric was arguably the best option, but the club let him depart to AC Milan due to concerns over his age. Different combinations of Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde have failed to match the consistency of the Toni Kroos-Casemiro-Modric midfield trio.
As a result, the club has been scouring the transfer market for their perfect Kroos replacement, but their options are getting thin. First, it was Martin Zubimendi, but he joined Arsenal. Florentino Perez wants Vitinha from PSG, but he will probably be too expensive. Their choices are becoming few and far between, and now Los Blancos will have to compete with Manchester United in the race for their new midfield target.
Real Madrid preparing offer for Premier League star as Man Utd enter race
Fichajes reports that Madrid are weighing up an offer for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, whose time at St James' Park could be coming to an end in the summer following a disappointing season for the Premier League side. The Italian is on the radar of a number of European giants heading into the summer, and Los Blancos are the latest to join the list.
The midfielder has been linked with a move back to Italy in the form of Juventus, but is now a strong favorite of Manchester United, who are reportedly willing to rival Arsenal and Chelsea for the player, per The Telegraph. Madrid evidently has their hands full of competition for the 25-year-old when the summer transfer window rolls around.
Tonali's move to Newcastle from AC Milan in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €60 million caught fans by surprise, as many thought it was a downgrade from the Italian giants. However, Tonali has enjoyed a fine spell with the Tyneside outfit. He's not known for being on the stat sheet much, but has managed seven goals and nine assists in 104 games and was a crucial part of his team's Carabao Cup triumph last season.
This season has been a difficult one for Newcastle as they currently sit 12th in the Premier League, a far cry from where they were last season, but they've been in solid form in the Champions League, securing a play-off round spot against Qarabag. As a result of the inconsistency, many believe the Italian, who has been consistent himself, could assess his options in the summer and move to a team where the prospect of winning trophies is on the table every season. The midfielder just signed a new extension until 2030, so the Magpies may not be willing to let him go so easily, no matter the price.