In the transfer market, Real Madrid’s priority is to strengthen their defense, but they are not losing sight of another key objective: finding a successor to Toni Kroos. The German star was the midfield general of the team, playing a fundamental role in winning both La Liga and the Champions League last season.
Since he left the club, Real Madrid have struggled to fill the gap, a challenge that Carlo Ancelotti has tried to address with Dani Ceballos. The Spanish midfielder, who many had written off, is now proving his worth, delivering strong performances and winning over those who once wanted him out of the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid Identify Their Top Target
Despite Ceballos’ impressive form, Real Madrid have identified Martín Zubimendi as their top choice to replace Kroos. The Real Sociedad midfielder has attracted serious interest from Arsenal, who are reportedly ready to trigger his €60 million release clause this summer.
However, according to The Athletic, Real Madrid are not backing down and are engaged in increasingly intense negotiations to secure the Spanish playmaker.
“Real Madrid have inquired about Zubimendi, and Real Sociedad insist they will only let him go if his €60 million clause is met. The player is keen to take the next step in his career, and Real Madrid see him as the ideal fit,” MARCA reports.
Transfer insider Ekrem Konur also confirmed the ongoing race for his signature, stating: “Real Madrid and Arsenal remain interested in Martín Zubimendi. Real Sociedad are demanding the full €60 million buy-out clause.”
While some reports suggest Real Sociedad might consider a lower fee of around €45 million to avoid losing him for free, Zubimendi already turned down Liverpool last summer to stay with the Txuri-Urdin.
A New Contender for Real Madrid’s Midfield
In the last few hours, another name has emerged as a potential alternative to reinforce Madrid’s midfield. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Los Blancos have rekindled their interest in Torino’s Samuele Ricci.
The 23-year-old Italian is one of Torino’s key players, and his club is reluctant to let him leave. His contract runs until 2028, making negotiations more complicated.
Moreover, as seen in the January transfer window, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is not keen on making big-money signings, preferring smart, long-term investments. Ricci fits Madrid’s transfer philosophy, as he is still young, has plenty of room for growth, and has yet to reach his peak.
However, Madrid face stiff competition for his signature. Manchester City, AC Milan, and Inter Milan are also tracking Ricci, setting the stage for an intense bidding war in the upcoming transfer windows.