30 MILLION: Real Madrid lines up their Kroos replacement in case he walks
The Spanish giants aren't playing the waiting game with the German and they already have their target should the World Cup-winner decide to leave
The future of Real Madrid's German star Toni Kroos is very much in the air, but the club led by Florentino Perez is already looking at alternatives. However, in recent hours, it has been speculated that Flamengo's Joao Gomes is the leading candiate.
Los Blancos have offered the former Bayern Munich man to renew his contract, which will run out at the end of the season, but the German is keeping his options open, and that has set off the alarm at the Santiago Bernabeu. Now, the club board are looking for a substitute and top names are making the rounds.
However, it seems that it's actually the Brazilian who is closest to Real Madrid. Flamengo has recently
renewed his contract until 2027, but that matters little for an European powerhouse, with the Spanish giants allegedly willing to pay 30 million euros for him
Another of the candidates chosen to succeed Kroos at Real Madrid is Bruno Guimaraes. However, he'd be a much more expensive option. Newcastle United paid 42 million to Olympique de Lyon in January to get him to St James' Park and they won't make it easy for los Blancos.
Nicolo Barella is the last in the list of candidates to take the place of the German midfielder. The Italian is valued at 70 million euros per Transfermarkt and he's still has three years in his contract with Inter Milan, which goes until June 2025. This means that Real Madrid would need to make a big effort to pry him from the hands of the Nerazzurri.
That could be why Real Madrid seems to be going for Joan Gomes, who at 21 years old has also much more upside than any of the other options. So far, the 21 year old midfielder has played 52 matches for Flamengo, and is set to feature in the Copa Libertadores final.