Real Madrid are ‘targeting THREE PL stars’ – including a Liverpool midfielder

Real Madrid are stepping up their hunt for a replacement for Toni Kroos and have reportedly identified three Premier League stars as targets.

Kroos announced his shock departure at the age of 34 earlier this year and retired from club football in style by guiding Madrid to a 15th European Cup with victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in June.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have struggled in Europe this season without the German talisman, losing three of their five Champions League matches this season. They are also one point behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga.

And with Real's season on the line, Madrid newspaper Diario AS, which has strong links with the club, has revealed the players on Ancelotti's shopping list.

Curtis Jones, Liverpool

Jones has emerged as one of the Premier League's best midfielders this season and played an important role against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old kept compatriot Jude Bellingham quiet in an action-packed display and is his country's leading passer of the ball, completing a higher percentage of passes (94.8 percent) than his rivals.

Rodri, Manchester City

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is an obvious candidate to replace Kroos and Real will hope the current turmoil at Man City can help tempt Rodri to Madrid.

The 28-year-old's influence on the Premier League champions has not been more evident than during his absence due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament since September. Rodri is the glue that holds Man City together, just like Kroos was.

Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea

Chelsea paid a British record transfer fee of £107 million in January 2023 and this season it will become clear why.

The Argentinian scored his second goal in consecutive games against Aston Villa on Sunday and even wore the captain's armband, a sign of how important he is becoming in an improving Chelsea team.

Fernandez's remarkable eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2032, so it would require a monstrous transfer fee to bring him to Madrid.

Joshua Kimmich and Vitinha

Outside the Premier League, Real are also keeping a close eye on Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich and Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha.

Kimmich's contract expires at the end of the season and talks have stalled. The 29-year-old has proven himself for both club and country and would be a safe pair of hands.

PSG's Vitinha, 24, has a contract with his club until 2027 and is worth around £45 million.