MX23RW : Sunday, June 16 01:29:36| >> :120:10412:10412:

Real Madrid 'draw up three-man shortlist of Toni Kroos replacements'

Real Madrid 'draw up three-man shortlist of Kroos replacements'
© Reuters
Real Madrid reportedly draw up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for midfielder Toni Kroos, who is retiring from football after Euro 2024.

Real Madrid have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist of potential replacements for midfielder Toni Kroos.

The 34-year-old announced earlier this week that he will be leaving Los Blancos and retiring from football after representing Germany at Euro 2024 this summer.

Kroos, widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, has spent the last 10 seasons at Real Madrid, making over 460 appearances and winning a total of 22 trophies.

The 108-cap Germany international helped Carlo Ancelotti's side win the La Liga title this season and is hoping to end his time at the club on a high by lifting his fifth Champions League trophy when they lock horns with Borussia Dortmund in the final on June 3.

With his contract expiring in the summer, Kroos believes that now is the right time to hang up his boots, forcing Real Madrid to delve into the transfer market for a replacement.

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich on October 21, 2023© Reuters

Kimmich, Barella, Veerman on Real Madrid's radar

According to FootballTransfers, Real Madrid have identified Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella and PSV Eindhoven's Joey Veerman as three potential midfielders to replace Kroos this summer.

Kimmich has been tipped to seek pastures new this summer after spending almost a decade at Bayern Munich, making 390 appearances and winning 20 trophies, including eight Bundesliga titles.

The versatile 29-year-old, who can play in midfield or at right-back, will soon be entering the final 12 months of his contract and has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

A potential move to the English top flight has also been mooted for Inter star Barella, who was a key figure in the Nerazzurri side that has cruised to the Serie A title this season - currently sitting 19 points clear at the summit with one game remaining.

The box-to-box midfielder has made 234 appearances in all competitions for Inter over the last five seasons, and Real Madrid could face complications with persuading the Italy international to leave San Siro as he is allegedly planning to extend his contract beyond 2026.

PSV Eindhoven's Joey Veerman during the warm up before the match on November 8, 2023© Reuters

Veerman's rise alerts Real Madrid

Meanwhile, PSV midfielder Veerman has elevated his game to new heights since joining the club from Heerenveen in 2022 and has particularly excelled in the 2023-24 campaign.

Indeed, the 25-year-old has scored five goals and provided an Eredivisie-high 16 assists in 29 league appearances and has been a key player in the club's title-winning season.

Veerman has been called up to the Netherlands' provisional squad for Euro 2024, and manager Ronald Koeman has stated that he would like to see the midfielder play at a higher level.

"I think he is so good for the Netherlands," Koeman said on Dutch podcast Veronica Offside. "I would like to see him in midfield in Spain, Italy, Germany or England. That is the highest level in terms of everything. I think he is ready in many respects for a move abroad."

PSV will be keen to keep hold of Veerman, who still has over two years remaining on his contract at Philips Stadion.

ID:544344:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6124:

Click here for more stories about Toni Kroos

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Galatasaray players celebrate winning the Turkish Super Cup final after Fenerbahce players walked off leading to the match being abandoned on April 7, 2024
Read Next:
This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Sunday, June 16
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 17
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 18
 
5pm
Wednesday, June 19
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Thursday, June 20
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Group Stage
Spain
vs.
Italy
Friday, June 21
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 22
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 23
 
8pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!