With the uncertainty surrounding midfielder Toni Kroos' future at Real Madrid, a surprise twist is now reportedly on the cards.
Los Blancos have offered the German the chance to extend his stay at the Santiago Bernabeu for another year, and it is now up to the player to decide if he will accept the extension or run down his current contract, according to Fichajes.
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This development comes as a surprise as the 33-year-old's future at Los Blancos was in doubt – similar to Croatia veteran Luka Modric – at the beginning of the season due to the wealth of young star midfielders at manager Carlo Ancelotti's disposal.
Despite the emergence of the likes of Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, the Germany international has still played a pivotal role in the team.
Up to this point in the campaign, Kroos has made 11 appearances for Real, bagging a goal and two assists in the process as he started five of those fixtures.
With the five-time UEFA Champions League winner having maintained his consistently good levels of performance despite featuring less in this campaign than in seasons past, this has seemingly sparked the club's desire to see him don the iconic jersey for another year.
According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Inda, Kroos considered retirement prior to signing his latest contract extension with the LALIGA giants in June this year, and those thoughts will play an important role in the decision he takes regarding another renewal.
"I said he was thinking about retiring, but he extended his sporting life for another year and Real Madrid has offered to increase it for another year," Inda said, as per Fichajes.
"They have already offered it to him, they are talking to him. I don't know the answer. He is a player who has had the theory of knowing how to retire on time.
"He already did it for the national team and in Madrid he wants to do it on time. He doesn't want to be playing at 38, 39 or 40 years old."
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