Real Madrid ‘want Toni Kroos to sign a new contract – with Carlo Ancelotti’s side optimistic about extending the midfielder’s time at the Bernabeu into an 11th season’
Real Madrid are reportedly hoping to keep Toni Kroos at the club for another season.
Kroos, 34, has made 455 appearances for the Spanish giants since joining from Bayern Munich in 2014.
Over his 10 seasons at the Bernabeu, the midfielder has won 20 trophies, including four Champions Leagues, three LaLiga titles and five Club World Cups.
Despite his age and the rise of Real’s young midfielders such as Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Kroos has still made 38 appearances this season, although his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
And, according to Fabrizio Romano, Real would like to extend that deal, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side confident about their prospects of doing so.
Real Madrid are reportedly hoping to keep midfielder Toni Kroos at the club for another season
Kroos has enjoyed a hugely glittering 10 years with the Spanish side, winning 20 trophies
Just last summer, there was speculation over Kroos’ future, with the 34-year-old not extending his deal until June 21, days before it was supposed to run out.
If he were to pen a new contract, it would take Kroos’ time in the Spanish capital into an 11th season and it comes despite several other members of Real’s famous ‘three-peat’ Champions League winning team moving on in recent years.
The 2014 World Cup winner – who has ended a three-year international exile to return for Germany ahead of Euro 2024 – recently admitted that he is in no rush to decide his future, but insisted it is an issue he must sort.
When asked about his international future beyond the tournament this week, Kroos said: ‘I need to first clear the issue of my (club) contract. I don’t have one for next season.
‘There are no issues whatsoever. My relationship with the club is too good to have any issues.
‘Both sides are relaxed. The club is having a good season and so am I. I hope we will find a satisfactory solution.’
Kroos shone on his international return against France, assisting Florian Wirtz after just seven seconds as Julian Nagelsmann’s side put in an impressive display to win 2-0 after what has been a hugely difficult period.
Speaking after the game, Nagelsmann hailed his returning midfielder as he said: ‘Unbelievable, to be honest. With the ball, we all know that he is an extraordinary player.
‘But also how he got involved in duels. He’s quite a normal guy and integrates into the group. That’s very good.’
When pressed on the issue of Kroos’ club future back in February, Ancelotti remained tight-lipped, but pointed to the relaxed situation both parties find themselves in.
‘His passing percentage is the same as it was ten years ago, his quality hasn’t changed,’ the Italian said.
‘He is playing in a team with a lot of energy and his quality in terms of the tempo of the game stands out more for that reason. He is playing very well.
Carlo Ancelotti remained tight-lipped on Kroos’ future at the Bernabeu when asked recently
Kroos has ended a three-year international exile to return for Germany ahead of Euro 2024
‘Whatever he decides, we have to respect it. A player, I think, must leave when they are at the top. This year he can be up there, or next year, I don’t know, because his performances have always been good.
‘He has never had highs or lows. But everyone must stop, as a coach too, at the top of their career. As long as he doesn’t lose (his motivation), he can continue.’
Real return to action after the international break with a clash against Athletic Bilbao on March 31.
Ancelotti’s side look set to win LaLiga with Los Blancos eight points clear of Barcelona with nine games to go, while they face a crunch Champions League quarter-final against Man City next month.
