Real Madrid "urgently" tempting £63m Man City ace with deal to replace Kroos

Manchester City could face a fight to hold on to one of their key players this summer, with Real Madrid circling as they look to replace the retired Toni Kroos, according to a new report.

Man City in driving seat for Champions League place

After a dismal start to the season, City have shown signs of a resurgence in recent months. While still some way off the standards that delivered recent domestic dominance, Pep Guardiola’s side are now unbeaten in their last six Premier League matches. This improved form, coupled with others’ struggles, has put Champions League qualification firmly in their own hands.

Ahead of the clash with Aston Villa on Tuesday, City midfielder Ilkay Gündogan spoke about the club’s “responsibility” to secure a Champions League spot.

“Our team is made and built to be more than this, it’s built to be a contender for the title every single year,” said the German star. “For various reasons, we haven’t been at our best for a long period of the season. We are where we are right now, and we need to accept the situation.”

He added: “There are minimum targets that have to be achieved at this club, and that’s definitely qualifying for the Champions League next season. We have to do it – it’s our responsibility.”

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Real Madrid chase Rodri in summer blow for City

If City secure Champions League football for next season, they may have to enter the competition without one of their most influential players – Ballon d’Or winner Rodri.

The 28-year-old has been a pivotal figure for City since his £63m arrival from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and was awarded football’s biggest individual prize last year for his outstanding performances during the club’s treble-winning campaign.

However, he’s missed much of this season due to injury – an absence that has coincided with a noticeable dip in City’s form.

According to Cadena SER, via Sports Mole, Rodri’s fitness concerns haven’t discouraged Real Madrid from identifying him as their ideal long-term successor to Toni Kroos, who retired at the end of last season. Madrid have struggled to fill the void left by the German maestro, and Cadena SER reports that Los Blancos see Rodri as the “perfect” replacement and “urgently” pursuing a new controller in the centre of the park.

Rodri has earned widespread acclaim for his dominance in midfield, particularly after his Ballon d’Or win, which drew praise from several footballing stars.

“Rodri is the perfect midfielder and there’s no one that plays his position better than he does—there are so many clubs in Europe looking for a world-class holding midfielder, but in the end there’s only him!” Gündogan wrote on social media.

Barcelona starlet Lamine Yamal added: “Receiving this award and having your work recognized is something incredible. Rodri is a fantastic player and an amazing person.”