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January 27th , 2025

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TONI KROOS REVEALS REAL MADRID RETIREMENT CONCERN

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Sports

A year ago



Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has opened up on his potential retirement in 2024.

Kroos has continued his pattern of signing short term contract extensions in Madrid by agreeing a deal to stay on in the Spanish capital for the 2023/24 campaign.

Los Blancos have remained steadfast in their policy of only offering players aged 30+ contracts for one more year with Kroos a beneficiary of the stance.

Midfield partner Luka Modric has also extended for 12 months despite the high profile arrival of England international Jude Bellingham.

Kroos is likely to end his time at the club next summer, having previously hinted at his career coming to an end, as he turns 34 in 2024.

Ahead of a crunch season in Madrid, Kroos has restated his determination to ply a key role, and if his output declines, he will know it is time to call time on his Los Blancos stint.

“There are one or two negative examples, who simply could not leave football, and were no longer the player people have in mind. I don’t want that to happen to me”, as per reports from Marca.

“I have the feeling last season went as well as my last nine in Madrid. Why wouldn’t the next one go well? I still enjoy football and I’m hungry for titles.”

Man United target Feyenoord stopper Justin Bijlow as they seek alternatives to Inter's Andre Onana

Manchester United are interested in Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow.

The Red Devils' need for a new goalkeeper seemed to have been put on a back burner after appearing to agree a new deal with last season's Golden Glove winner David de Gea.

However, a contract extension  was reneged upon as a result of a lack of faith from his manager Erik ten Hag, and his deal at Old Trafford expired on July 1.

The club had been linked with a number of goalkeeping targets, and are now considering a move for Bijlow to fill the vacant position between the sticks.

The 25-year-old, who kept 15 clean sheets last season, is viewed as a cheaper alternative to Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, though nothing has advanced regarding a bid.

Onana has been linked with both United and Chelsea this summer, with both looking to freshen things up in goal, but a fee of £40million could prove too steep for Ten Hag's side.

Officials are working with a net spend of around £100m for the entire transfer window, as a result of Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints.

They have already agreed a £60m fee for Chelsea star Mason Mount, which will cut a decent wedge out of that war chest for this summer.

As a result, Bijlow could find himself higher up the list than he may have expected, as United look to replace the long-serving Spaniard - one of the last players in the dressing room to have won the Premier League at the club.

Bijlow is a current senior international with the Netherlands side, and has eight caps to his name, having also made up part of Louis Van Gaal's 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, though he failed to make an appearance.

De Gea was pictured enjoying a stylish pre-wedding celebration alongside his wife-to-be just a day before his Manchester United deal expired.

There were no signs of worries or doubts on De Gea's part only hours before the deadline, though, with the footballer clearly making the most of the gathering.

De Gea and Garcia welcomed a large group of friends and family to the Spanish island of Menorca, with the party congregating on the rolling beach.

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