Real Madrid monitoring 25-year-old AC Milan midfielder as Toni Kroos’ replacement

Real Madrid are on the lookout for a fresh, promising talent to secure their midfield’s future, and a report from SPORT is suggesting they are interested in Milan and Netherlands’ Tijjani Reijnders.

It must be noted that in their quest to find a successor for Toni Kroos, Real Madrid have explored various options.

Joshua Kimmich briefly surfaced as a potential target, but Madrid’s pursuit was never earnest, mainly due to his existing contract with Bayern Munich and widespread interest from other top clubs across Europe, including those in the English Premier League, Ligue 1, and even Barcelona.

Enter Reijnders.

Who exactly is Tijjani Reijnders?

Reijnders, who has played five games for his national team this Euro, was only prompted to the squad by Ronald Koeman after Frenkie de Jong’s absence due to injury.

At 25 years old, Reijnders has demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure on the international stage. While comparing him directly to Kroos might be premature, there are encouraging signs of his potential.

Reijnders’ emergence has piqued the interest of Real Madrid’s technical team, who are monitoring his progress closely. On the other hand, Barcelona have also shown interest, a fact acknowledged by the player himself.

“Xavi Hernandez called me, but I had already chosen Milan,” the player had said in the past.

Signing Reijnders could be complicated

Interestingly, Reijnders’ current situation complicates matters. Having joined Milan in 2023 from AZ Alkmaar for €20 million plus add-ons, he is under contract until 2028.

Despite his market value estimated at €30 million, Milan are reluctant to part ways unless presented with an irresistible offer.

The amicable relationship between the clubs, however, could facilitate negotiations, but Madrid would need to table a substantial bid. For now, their interest remains speculative, but future developments could turn Reijnders into a clear target for the Spanish giants.

In summary, Real Madrid’s pursuit of a midfielder to succeed Toni Kroos has led them to consider Tijjani Reijnders, a young talent whose potential has attracted attention from across Europe.

While any move remains in the realm of speculation, the dynamics of the transfer market and club relationships could shape Reijnders’ future, potentially making him a key target for Real Madrid in the coming seasons.