Real Madrid, reigning champions of Spain and Europe, are facing a significant void in their midfield following the retirement of Toni Kroos. The recent 1-1 draw against Mallorca exposed the challenges ahead for Los Blancos, as they struggled to progress the ball and create chances, highlighting just how much Kroos’ absence is felt.
Despite the immense talent within their squad, including the likes of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eduardo Camavinga, Real Madrid is now more reliant on these young stars to fill the creative gap. Additionally, the promising Turkish talent Arda Guler, fresh off a strong European Championship performance, is expected to see more playing time, with Luka Modric still available to influence games with his exceptional passing.
In a surprising twist, Real Madrid was reportedly offered the chance to sign Ilkay Gundogan, one of Barcelona’s standout players, before he decided to return to Manchester City to reunite with Pep Guardiola. According to MARCA’s Jose Felix Diaz, via Madrid Xtra, the offer came as a shock, but the Merengue club ultimately turned it down.
While Gundogan, a key figure in Barcelona’s midfield with five goals and nine assists last season, could have added value to Real Madrid, the club saw little merit in signing the 33-year-old on a hefty wage of nearly 20 million euros. Though still effective on the ball, Gundogan’s defensive contributions have waned, and his ability to progress the ball through dribbling has diminished, making him a more one-dimensional player suited to a system like Manchester City’s.
For Real Madrid, the decision to pass on Gundogan seems wise. The club already boasts a veteran midfielder in Luka Modric, who is still more effective as a ball-winner and playmaker. Adding Gundogan to the roster could have stifled the development of younger talents like Guler or hindered potential defensive signings.
Despite his leadership qualities, Gundogan’s presence at Barcelona did not translate into success for the team last season, leading to the club’s decision to part ways with him after signing Euro 2024 hero Dani Olmo. For Real Madrid, rejecting Gundogan may have been the right call, allowing them to focus on nurturing their emerging stars and maintaining financial flexibility for future transfers.