Xabi Alonso wants these THREE players in Real Madrid if he is to replace Carlo Ancelotti: Report
Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso with Florian Wirtz | AP
If Xabi Alonso becomes the next Real Madrid manager, the World Cup winner wants to bring three players including two from his current team, a report said.
Xabi Alonso, who represented Real Madrid as a player, is currently in charge of Bundesliga's Bayer Leverkusen. After leading "Die Werkself" to a historical league win last season, the 43-year-old was heavily linked to join Real Madrid. However, Alonso confirmed that he intended to remain at the BayArena. The Los Blancos, meanwhile, is having a horrible season after being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and losing the Copa Del Rey summit clash to archrivals FC Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti's team trails Barca in the league as well.
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Italian Ancelotti is rumoured to leave the Spanish capital this summer despite having another year on his contract. Brazil want the veteran in charge of their squad but exit formalities at Real Madrid are blocking the move, reports said.
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Meanwhile, another report claimed that Xabi Alonso has already named three signings he wants this summer ahead of taking over Madrid. He wants the Los Blancos management to sign two midfielders and a defender for him before the next season begins. Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah of Leverkusen and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad are three players on his priority list, SportBible said in a report.
Attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz is already a target for Real Madrid after the German's instrumental service to Bayer Leverkusen's wonderrun under Xabi Alonso. Bayern Munich are after the 21-year-old, who is second in the assists chart this season. If Alonso joins Real Madrid, then the club can hijack the deal and bring him to Spain instead.
The other Leverkusen player named in the list is defender Tah, who has confirmed that he won't sign a new deal with Leverkusen. Bayern Munich is rumoured to sign the German international and the departure of Eric Dier to AS Monaco further strengthens the theory. However, Tah is an admirer of his international teammate Antonio Rudiger -- the current leader of Real Madrid's backline. Alonso already knows how to bring the best out of Tah and getting to play alongside Rudiger regularly could boast the chemistry when on international duty. It needs to be seen if Tah would turn down these factors in favour of staying in Germany.
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At 26, Martin Zubimendi is rated to be the closest replicate of Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. The defensive midfielder has been strongly linked to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal for a while now but nothing constructive has happened so far. The Premier League side would have to activate a £50 million release clause to get his services.
David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are all injury-prone and their absence throughout the season played a big role in derailing Madrid's campaign. Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and others had to play different positions under Ancelotti to fill the voids as there were no back-up signings.
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