It looks like Real Madrid are getting more interested in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz. A source told ESPN that they're worried about their creativity now that Toni Kroos has retired.

Last week, ESPN reported that Madrid were thinking about bolstering their defence in January and were keeping an eye on Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

However, some people at the club also think it would be a good idea to sign a ball-playing midfielder, since Madrid didn't look for a Kroos replacement in the summer.

A source told ESPN that it would be tough to get a player like Wirtz in January, given the kind of transfer fee Leverkusen would want.

However, Madrid want to keep an eye on Wirtz with a view to signing him next summer. They think he's an interesting prospect given his age, profile and potential.

Wirtz is just 21 but he's already a key part of a Bayer Leverkusen team – coached by Xabi Alonso – which won the Bundesliga and cup double last season. He was also called up by the German national team to play in last summer's European Championship.

People close to Madrid's coaching staff have told ESPN that they're not happy with the midfield. They think a player like Wirtz would bring something different to the table compared to Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchoumeni and Federico Valverde.

That said, they think the team – including experienced players like Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler – can still improve their performance in the coming months.

Madrid have been keeping an eye on Wirtz since last season, and a source has told ESPN that they've been paying closer attention to him recently.

The LaLiga giants have had some good reports on the German international and now want to see how he gets on in a top competition like the Champions League, given that last season he only played in the Europa League.