For months, Real Madrid has been targeting Xabi Alonso, coach of Bayer Leverkusen, as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti. The San Sebastian native’s style seems tailor-made for the white team, with a vertical and offensive game that doesn’t sacrifice touch, similar to how he played when he was a footballer.
Many claim that he has already signed, but the truth is that he has another year left on his contract and will have to be bought out. Real Madrid has been in contact with the Basque coach and has let him know that they are counting on him if Ancelotti does not stay at the club next season. In fact, according to recent reports, the Whites are willing to pay for him. There was talk of an offer of €6 million.
However, it will not be so easy to get him out of Bayer Leverkusen. According to the newspaper BILD, there is a verbal agreement between Xabi Alonso and the German club whereby the coach can leave the club before the end of his contract (June 2026) to join a top-flight club.
Alonso wants Zubimendi
According to Relevo, the current Bayer Leverkusen coach would be delighted to have Martín Zubimendi on board. The Real Sociedad midfielder is one of Alonso’s requests. The Txuriurdin player could end up at the Bernabéu, provided that Xabi Alonso ends up at Real Madrid. If this happens, the Basque international would have a good chance of playing for Madrid.
It could be a good fit, as the Champions League defeat has changed everything. One of the positions that was not on the agenda for reinforcement in the summer transfer window has now become one of the main objectives. We are talking about the midfield. Toni Kroos is a standard-bearer for Real Madrid and a reference point on the pitch. He was Real Madrid’s compass, and since his decision to retire, there has been a huge void in the club, which has been partly filled by Dani Ceballos and Luka Modric.
Zubimendi leans towards Real Madrid
Martín Zubimendi has attracted a lot of interest in the market, with powerful European teams after him, as was the case with Liverpool, which he rejected in January. For months, the main candidates have been Real Madrid and Arsenal, but many believe that the Txuriurdin player has already decided where he wants to play.
According to various sources, Real Madrid has already presented Zubimendi with its sporting plans, in which he figures as a key player, a gesture that has significantly influenced his decision to stay in LaLiga and wear the white shirt.