Real Madrid has a clear roadmap for returning to excellence, and that includes the possibility of more signings. However, they must first lighten their load. With the recent signings, the club now has 25 players in the first team, so it needs to open the door and let some players go if it wants to sign at least two new players requested by the coach: a center back and a midfielder. Although La Fábrica is making progress in the transfer market, with players looking to leave the first team, there is a problem: no concrete offers have reached Real Madrid’s offices.
Xabi Alonso wants more
Since his arrival at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has made clear his admiration for the talent of the current squad, but it is true that this potential and talent does not always translate onto the pitch, which has led the coach to identify two clear weaknesses that he has passed on to the club, sounding out the possibility of signing players who could improve the team in these areas. Specifically, the Tolosa-born coach has reportedly asked for a center back and a midfielder.
The club has not ruled out his requests, but it does raise two issues. On the one hand, the team has already invested more than $180 million in signings and does not want to splurge unless the signings convince the club and have proven quality. There are several names on the Real Madrid agenda and, although the deals would not be easy, they have not been ruled out. The problem, beyond the financial aspect, also lies in the fact that players have to be let go, and this is not proving as easy as might be expected.
The exit door is open for these players
In order for new players to arrive, the squad needs to be trimmed a little by letting go of Xabi Alonso’s rejects. There are several names on the way out. The main one is Rodrygo Goes. The Brazilian has had a year full of shadows and Xabi Alonso is clear that he cannot contribute anything to the team right now and is not counting on him. Despite multiple rumors about his future pointing to the Premier League, the interest of teams such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and PSG has not materialized.
Another hot spot is at left back. With the arrival of Álvaro Carreras, someone is surplus to requirements. Throughout the season, Fran García was tipped to leave, but everything has taken a radical turn. The youth player has attracted interest from Milan, who have opted for another option, and Juventus, but the truth is that after the great World Cup he had, the Whites prefer to keep him and let someone else take the hit.
That other player is Ferland Mendy, who has had a terrible season marred by injuries. The Frenchman is still injured, which makes it difficult to finalize his departure. Real Madrid seems clear that it wants to get rid of the left-back and is willing to sell him for a bargain price of around €10-15 million.
In defense, there has also been talk for months about getting rid of Alaba, who has gone from one injury to another and also has a very high salary. The player is clinging to his contract, which expires next summer, but the club prefers to look for a way out and cash in this summer, considering that they would save his salary and make money for a player who is not going to play.
The problem with all of them is that there are no offers, and the club is clear that they need to sell players to give Xabi Alonso the team he wants, but they are not going to give players away. They have to cash in.