Real Madrid Target Rodri as Kroos Replacement

Real Madrid Eyeing Manchester City‘s Rodri as Toni Kroos Successor

Real Madrid is reportedly targeting Manchester City midfielder Rodri as a long-term replacement for the recently retired Toni Kroos. Spanish publication AS suggests a potential swap deal could be on the cards,with Rodrygo potentially moving to the Etihad Stadium.

Rodri, who has a contract with Manchester City until 2027, has been a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola‘s midfield, featuring in 265 matches across all competitions.The 29-year-old Spanish international returned to action in May after an eight-month layoff due to a knee injury. During his tenure at Manchester City, Rodri has contributed to four Premier League titles and was recognized with the Ballon d’Or in 2024. AS notes his age is comparable to Zinedine Zidane‘s when he joined Real Madrid.

The sale of Rodrygo, who could command a fee between £80 million and £100 million, would significantly bolster Real Madrid’s transfer budget, enabling them to pursue a marquee signing like Rodri.

Beyond Rodri, Real Madrid is also reportedly considering Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, and Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister as potential successors to Kroos. however, these three midfielders are all under long-term contracts and are considered vital players for their respective clubs. Deals for Fernandez or Mac Allister would likely require nine-figure transfer fees, making their acquisitions less probable at this time.