Real Madrid stalwart Toni Kroos remained tight-lipped amidst the swirling Kylian Mbappe transfer rumors, declining to offer any commentary on the anticipated switch of the Frenchman to Los Blancos.
Mbappe’s potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu has dominated headlines once again, with reports suggesting his desire to depart Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract.
Despite previous flirtations with Real Madrid, Mbappe appears poised for a departure this summer, with the Spanish giants being touted as the frontrunners for his signature. This speculation intensified following Mbappe’s hint about revealing his future plans before Euro 2024.
In light of these developments, players from both the French national team and Real Madrid have been probed about the prospect of teaming up with Mbappe, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. However, Kroos opted to remain non-committal on the matter, keeping his thoughts private.
Moreover, Kroos emphasized Real Madrid’s self-sufficiency, suggesting that the club may not necessarily need to pursue Mbappe amidst the ongoing transfer saga.
‘If even he doesn’t know, how can I know? The important thing is to win things. It would be nice for Madrid, but I think we already have a good team,’ he said at a press conference.
Kroos, in fairness, is in his own contract limbo, with the German legend still unsure of his future at Real Madrid.
In the decade since his transition from Bayern Munich to Los Blancos, Kroos has accumulated an impressive record, featuring in 455 matches, netting 28 goals, and providing 95 assists during this period.
He formed an integral part of the midfield trio alongside Luka Modric and Casemiro, a unit that rivaled Barcelona’s legendary trio of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Sergio Busquets for the title of the world’s best midfield.
However, despite committing to a one-year contract extension at the Bernabeu last season, Kroos finds himself uncertain about his future at the club heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
One of the concerns stems from Real Madrid’s development of a highly talented young midfield ensemble, featuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni, alongside the presence of Federico Valverde, further complicating matters.
As a result, Kroos, aged 34, and Modric, aged 38, confront a less assured future compared to Mbappe, aged 25, who isn’t burdened by constant retirement speculations.
Tchouameni appeared to inadvertently hint at Mbappe’s anticipated move to Spain next summer, although his international captain humorously dismissed such suggestions.
Speaking to Telefoot, Tchouameni said: ‘The Spanish are aware of the player that Kylian is, although when they see him every day they will realize the player’s greatness’.
When questioned about the remark during a press conference on Monday, ahead of France’s friendly match against Chile on Tuesday, Mbappe humorously responded that the Spaniards would be seeing more of him since PSG has advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals.
He said: ‘Well, I played Real Sociedad [in the last 16], we play Barcelona in quarter finals and if we go through, maybe Atletico in semis!
‘So yes, Spaniards will see me a bit more.’