The signing of Álvaro Carreras by Real Madrid brings an end to one of the biggest soap operas surrounding the team in terms of the transfer market, but it is far from putting an end to the activity in the Valdebebas offices as far as new arrivals are concerned. After his experience at the Club World Cup, Xabi Alonso knows that he must continue to strengthen the squad and, together with the club’s management, he will draw up a plan that could see another signing join Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, and Carreras himself. Or even two.
The elimination at the hands of PSG in the Club World Cup left Xabi Alonso’s ideas in tatters, and he has tried out several systems, with a hybrid between 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 seeming to convince him the most. The Spanish coach will take advantage of the break to analyze the successes and failures of his first tournament at the helm of Real Madrid, and in a meeting with the club, which is expected to be attended by Florentino Pérez, the club’s president, decisions will be made on the positions to be strengthened and the amount of money the club can invest to do so.
With the arrivals of Álvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alonso has both full-back and wing-back positions covered on both sides. Fran García’s good performance in the World Cup leaves the right wing open for him or Carreras, while Arnold starts with an advantage but cannot relax, as his competition is none other than captain Dani Carvajal, who we should not be surprised to see as a third center back in some games.
Konaté is close to Real Madrid
However, another reinforcement could arrive in defense to shore up the center of the back line, especially if Xabi opts for a three-man defense. Aurelien Tchouaméni allows for variations in position, but he is a midfielder by trade, so rotation with Rüdiger, Asencio, Huijsen, and the recently recovered Militao, plus the unknown factor of Alaba, could leave room for another player. And that’s where the name Ibrahima Konaté comes in.
The French international has been monitored by Madrid for several months thanks to his stature and status, demonstrated in the ranks of Liverpool. Konaté is out of contract on June 30, 2026, and the Whites could sign him for free, but his current club’s fear of losing him without receiving anything or practically anything in return, as in the case of Alexander-Arnold, could open the door for him this summer for a fee of around $30-35 million. Now it is Real Madrid who must decide whether or not to take the plunge.
Alonso calls for signings in midfield
The midfield is the other clear area for improvement in the team. Arda Güler has made a good impression in his competitive debut in the position, but as with Jude Bellingham, he is at his best on the edge of the area and, for the moment, not so much in the creative department. The problem with signing a midfielder lies in the lack of options, as Real Madrid wants a regular starter and these players are valued at no less than €80 million, in the unlikely event that their teams agree to negotiate a transfer.
Barella, Vitinha, Enzo, and Mac Allister are untouchable or prohibitively expensive, so alternatives such as Angelo Stiller, who is not entirely convincing, or Dutchman Kees Smit, have gained momentum in the transfer market. At the meeting between Xabi and the club’s top brass, a decision will also have to be made about the midfield, with the club reluctant to invest a lot of money with Camavinga, Bellingham, Valverde, and Tchouaméni available.
Possible sales for Real Madrid
In terms of departures, Real Madrid also has several decisions to make. The name of Rodrygo Goes is the one that is being mentioned the most, now that Xabi Alonso has shown in the Club World Cup that he does not count on him. The goal-scoring explosion of youth player Gonzalo García also forces a decision between him and Endrick, although it cannot be ruled out that both will continue at least until the winter transfer window.
Meanwhile, the name to watch in midfield is Dani Ceballos, who, if a signing is made in that position, would be likely to leave, and who knows if he would head for Betis. In defense, both David Alaba and Ferland Mendy have the door open, but their physical condition, coupled with the fact that they have contracts in place, makes it very difficult for them to leave this summer.