The arrival of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid seems increasingly more like a reality than a pipe dream. While there is talk about Carlo Ancelotti’s future, the Tolosa-born player has reportedly already announced that he will not be continuing at Bayer Leverkusen next season. His arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu could be finalized in the coming weeks, and there is already speculation about his plan to revive the team.
Ancelotti’s departure
Real Madrid’s poor season has claimed its first victim. There has been talk for weeks about Carlo Ancelotti’s departure from the team. It seemed to be contingent on results and titles, but as these have not materialized, his departure seems irreversible.
As on other occasions, there has been speculation about the Italian coach’s departure to the Brazilian national team. This time, the deal seemed to be done, with only the signatures missing, but in the last few hours, everything has changed. The coach had agreed to leave Real Madrid in June to join the Brazilian national team for several key matches that month. There was even talk of a salary similar to what he earns at Real Madrid, around $10 million.
However, the agreement seems to have fallen through for several reasons. The main one is that there was no financial agreement with Real Madrid for his departure. The other factor was a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to tempt the Italian coach. 50 million euros have tempted ‘Carletto’.
Xabi Alonso is getting closer
With Ancelotti’s departure decided some time ago, Real Madrid has been working on his replacement. From the outset, Xabi Alonso has been the preferred candidate and has been in talks with the Bayer Leverkusen coach for months. With a contract still in place, his departure seems complicated, but the Merengue club is willing to put money on the table if necessary.
In recent hours, journalist Eduardo Inda has revealed on El Chiringuito that Xabi Alonso, without specifying his destination, has already informed Bayer of his decision not to continue at the club next season. The club is already beginning to sound out names such as Imanol Alguacil and Xavi Hernández.
The player Xabi does not want at Real Madrid
In recent months, many players have been questioned at the club. In fact, Florentino and his technical staff are already working to find replacements and strengthen positions that have performed below Real Madrid’s standards.
One of the most questioned positions this season has been left back, with Mendy and Fran García as the regulars. The former seems to be perpetually injured, while the latter does not have the coach’s confidence, who even preferred to force Ferland into the Cup final with disastrous results, as he left injured after eight minutes. In key matches, the coach has even opted for Camavinga.
That is why Real Madrid is scouring the market in search of a left-back after failing to sign Davies in the winter transfer window. Among the names being mentioned are Nuno Mendes, Milos Kerkez, Álvaro Carreras, and the option of bringing back Miguel Gutiérrez.
Everything will depend largely on the decisions made by the new coach. According to Defensa Central, beyond the signing of a new full-back, Xabi Alonso has made a decision regarding the current players. Xabi Alonso is in favor of selling Ferland Mendy and keeping Fran García, just the opposite of what Ancelotti requested.