Real Madrid withdraw from the pursuit of a possible successor to Toni Kroos.

Real Madrid initially opted not to pursue a replacement for Toni Kroos following his retirement announcement in May last year. The club believed that their midfield was well-stocked with rising talents such as Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, and Aurelien Tchouameni. However, their inconsistent performances in the first half of the season may have led them to reconsider their stance.

One of the players linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabéu in recent months was Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich. The 29-year-old midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement—a strategy Real Madrid often employs when targeting experienced players. Kimmich, who has previously stepped in for Kroos in the German national team and at Bayern, possesses a similar skill set, particularly in ball distribution, making him a natural candidate.

Despite the speculation, reports from BILD journalist Tobi Altschäffl suggest that Real Madrid is no longer in the race for Kimmich. The German international is reportedly close to finalizing a new deal with Bayern, with both parties committed to reaching an agreement. The negotiations are now centered on financial details.

Barcelona had also shown interest in Kimmich last summer but seemingly dropped their pursuit after the emergence of Marc Casadó. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has been linked with other midfield options, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi—who is also on the radar of several Premier League clubs—and Atalanta’s Ederson. Additionally, the impressive recent form of Dani Ceballos, particularly in the Champions League clash against Manchester City, might influence the club’s decision to refrain from making any midfield signings. Given Florentino Pérez’s cautious approach to major expenditures, Madrid may ultimately decide to rely on their existing squad depth rather than splashing out on a high-profile signing.