Changes are coming. The immediate future of Real Madrid seems increasingly clear. Ancelotti has already agreed to leave the club, and his departure will be announced after El Clásico, regardless of the result. His departure marks the end of an era that, apart from this season, which has ended his cycle, has been very successful.
His departure brings with it a new beginning. A new beginning that, barring any surprises, will be led by Xabi Alonso. The Spanish coach has been on the club’s radar for a long time, and Florentino was clear that he should be the coach of the future to lead Real Madrid back to fighting for titles. His arrival will bring many changes, both tactically, where modifications are expected with respect to what Ancelotti has been doing, and physically, to avoid the many injuries that have been a major setback this season.
There will also be changes to the squad. Xabi Alonso will have to decide on the future of some of the current players, while his opinion will also be sought in putting together a squad that needs some tweaking. Real Madrid has a center back, a left back, and a central midfielder on its wish list.
These are three key positions for which Xabi Alonso has already provided candidates of his liking. In the center-back position, the coach is clear that he would like to sign Jonathan Tah, currently on the Bayer Leverkusen roster. Under the former Real Madrid player, the 6’5” center-back has performed exceptionally well. The upside is that his contract is expiring and he would come for free.
As for the left-back, in recent weeks there has been speculation that Xabi prefers Fran García to Mendy. In terms of new signings, the coach has recommended Piero Hincapíe and Grimaldo. For midfield, the coach likes Wirtz and Zubimendi, options that Real Madrid are considering.
Xabi Alonso wants a number 9 and has candidates
In recent hours, it has been revealed that Xabi Alonso has added a target to Real Madrid’s to-do list: the signing of a number 9. This is something that the Whites had already considered, missing Joselu as the team’s killer alongside Vinicius and Mbappé. Haaland’s name came up again, but now the Tolosa-born coach is considering three options for the Merengue attack.
Telemadrid has been the media outlet responsible for revealing his three requests. The television channel has stated the following on its website: “The first request from the Tolosa-born coach is to sign a pure number nine. Viktor Einar Gyökeres, the masked goalscorer, is the sensation in Europe with statistics worthy of a big club. The Swedish player from Sporting de Portugal would arrive at an optimal age but at a high cost.” The investment for the Swedish striker is skyrocketing to a whopping €75 million, which would put Rodrygo even more in the firing line, as the Brazilian striker is expected to fetch a three-figure sum.
Telemadrid gives two other names that Xabi Alonso has on his agenda: “He is considering two other options that he likes very much. The two strikers from the current Leverkusen team: Victor Okoh Boniface and Patrik Schick.” The former is valued at €45 million, while the latter has a market value of €27 million and a contract until June 2027.