Real Madrid Target Manchester City Star While Xabi Alonso Issues Fresh Transfer Ultimatum

Xabi Alonso is reportedly seeking Real Madrid to acquire a central midfielder before the 2025–26 campaign begins, with the new manager having identified a Premier League prospect.

Real Madrid's opening six fixtures under Alonso during the FIFA Club World Cup exposed multiple deficiencies that continue to affect the La Liga second-place finishers. Beyond an unstable defense that managed only two shutouts in the United States, the squad also missed a commanding midfielder who could control game rhythm.

Following Real Madrid's farewell to club icons Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić in consecutive seasons, there exists an obvious void in the midfield core that Alonso aims to address this summer.

Based on ESPN reports, the new manager seeks a controlling midfielder who can manage game pace and coordinate offensive plays while contributing defensively. Simply put, "Xabi is missing his 'Xabi'".

Real Madrid had previously shown interest in Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, but have reportedly "dismissed him" for now. The club also has eyes on Manchester City's Rodri, although securing the Ballon d'Or recipient "appears unlikely" this summer.

With limited viable options available, Alonso may need to focus internally to nurture one of his current players into his ideal midfielder. Indeed, he has already started this process with Arda Güler during the Club World Cup. The 20-year-old, who usually operates on the right flank or as an attacking midfielder, featured four times as a central midfielder in the United States.

Güler performed admirably until the semifinals, where he eventually found it difficult to establish any meaningful control against Paris Saint-Germain's formidable midfield trio of João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz. The Turkey international requires considerably more development to mature into a deep-lying playmaker role if Alonso intends to depend on him against Europe's elite teams.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga represent alternatives, but these two France internationals are not players who can genuinely orchestrate Real Madrid's play. Both are recognized for their defensive work rather than their capacity to dictate matches through ball possession.

Should Real Madrid be unable to secure a new midfielder, Alonso will face a significant challenge in constructing his midfield to match Real Madrid's Champions League-winning combination of Kroos, Casemiro and Modrić.