Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has identified three potential summer signings to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager at the end of the season, two of which he knows very well.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed that Ancelotti is leaving Madrid after a disappointing season on all fronts.
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After being knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal and losing the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona, the question now is whether or not Ancelotti will lead the club to the Club World Cup. With Ancelotti’s departure all but confirmed, attention is turning to who will take charge at the Bernabéu – and it looks increasingly likely that it will be Bayer Leverkusen’s Alonso.
With the former Madrid midfielder as the clear favourite to return to his former club, it is reported that he has already identified three transfer targets he wants to bring with him to the Spanish capital.
According to Diario AS, Alonso wants to bring in Martín Zubimendi, Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah if he takes over Real Madrid.
Zubimendi has been heavily linked with Arsenal this summer, but his £50 million expiry clause is yet to be activated by the London club.
Wirtz, who currently plays under Alonso in Germany, also appears to be moving on, with Bayern Munich currently leading the hunt for the young midfielder. After rumours of Alonso’s possible transfer to Madrid became known, he addressed the situation and insisted that his full focus was on Leverkusen.
“This is not the time to discuss the future,” said Alonso, whose team is six points behind league leader Bayern Munich.
– “We are at a very important time in the season. I don’t want to talk about speculation and rumours,” he added. “[I understand] that this is happening, but what’s most important to me is what’s happening right now.”
A possible Alonso move to Madrid – combined with these three signings – will undoubtedly make big waves in European football.
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