As he prepares for his arrival at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso is reportedly hoping for major signings to mark the beginning of his new chapter. Unfortunately, Florentino Pérez does not appear willing to grant the successor to Carlo Ancelotti his wishes.
At the end of a gloomy season for Real Madrid, the only good news brightening the daily routine revolves around plans for the post-Carlo Ancelotti era. Almost certainly reaching the end of his love story with the Madrid club, the Italian coach is expected to leave at the end of the season — specifically after the league finishes in late May. To replace him, Florentino Pérez is banking entirely on Xabi Alonso, who will make his big return to Real Madrid after playing there between 2009 and 2014 (236 appearances, 6 goals). At 43 years old, the Spanish tactician has already made a name for himself thanks to his achievements with Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso’s major request
To properly implement his game plan, the native of Tolosa is looking for reinforcements. Despite having names like Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler and Dani Ceballos, Xabi Alonso wants a new all-round midfielder capable of breaking through defences. And who better to complement Madrid’s midfield than Florian Wirtz? Currently a standout player at Bayer Leverkusen, the German is one of the cornerstones of Alonso’s project. According to the German press, the 21-year-old is keen to continue his rise at a club like Real Madrid.
Despite an already agreed deal with Bayern Munich, who plan to invest around €250 million (including €120 million for the transfer fee and the rest covering wages over the next five years), Florian Wirtz is reportedly open to abandoning the plan and joining Real Madrid at the end of this season. In discussions with the Madrid board, Carlo Ancelotti’s successor is said to have expressed his wish to see Wirtz arrive in the Spanish capital.
Florentino Pérez’s refusal
As has been the case for several months now, the Real Madrid president remains staunchly opposed to expensive spending. Much more focused on signing free agents, Florentino Pérez is said to have already made it clear that he will not release over €100 million to bring in a player like Wirtz. Despite recognising the German’s talent, the head of Los Blancos is firmly against paying such a large sum, especially when similar profiles already exist within the squad.
According to reports, the Madrid president believes the club has not yet fully profited from the investment made in signing Jude Bellingham. For Pérez, the priority is strengthening the defence — particularly the left-back position and centre-back options. One thing is certain: Xabi Alonso will not get everything he wants to kick off his time at Real Madrid. Much like Carlo Ancelotti, who also faced significant restrictions, the new coach of Los Blancos will have to work within the limits set by the club’s management. In any case, all eyes are now on what Real Madrid’s summer transfer window will look like.
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