After the problems this season in creating plays, the club has acknowledged the need for a football brain. A player capable of building the team's game. At Leverkusen, Xabi, in a system with three center-backs and two wing-backs, left the midfield to Xhaka and Palacios, players with good feet but nothing extraordinary in handling compared to Kroos or Modric, historical players in their position. And beyond them, the key man for Alonso was not a defensive midfielder, but a technically talented attacking midfielder capable of flowing through the team's axis: Florian Wirtz.
Following that example, and pending further meetings, the Bernabéu offices are not working with Xabi on the arrival of a pure defensive midfielder, but on a midfielder who can link up in different areas of the field. The coach would love to sign Wirtz, whom he turned into the best player in the Bundesliga a few months ago, and is liked in the Bernabéu offices. Bayer is asking for more than 100 million and Real Madrid seems reluctant to undertake such a significant operation unless Rodrygo is sold, but Alonso's pressure, once the squad has been analyzed during the World Cup month, could end up being crucial.
So far, Leverkusen has received interest from Bayern, Manchester City, and Liverpool, but no negotiations have been finalized with any of them. And the player, at 22 years old and under contract until 2027, is awaiting developments, aware that after Alonso's departure, it is time for a change.
Madrid continues to trust in Tchouaméni, Valverde, and especially Camavinga for the core, with Alonso also counting on Bellingham moving between them and Vinicius and Mbappé. But there is a lack of football, and the need for such a profile in the squad is understood. Modric wants to renew but is awaiting a chat with Alonso, and what is clear at the Bernabéu is that the Croatian cannot handle so many games. He has been present in 55 matches, only surpassed by Fede Valverde (57).
Ceballos, on the other hand, was important at a certain point in the season until his injury, but then, with discomfort, he has not returned to his level. Both the Croatian and the Andalusian will be at the World Cup, but without Camavinga, who is injured, and waiting to see if Bellingham undergoes shoulder surgery, Xabi, beyond bigger catches, would like to have an extra piece.
Nico Paz and Mastantuono, young options
In this rotational role, Madrid is assessing the situation of Nico Paz. The Argentine international has excelled at Como with six goals and eight assists playing as an attacking midfielder, and Real Madrid can bring him back for nine million. At 20 years old, he would be affordable, but his compatibility with Güler is being studied. They do not want to hinder the progress of either, and Xabi will decide.
Another future option is Franco Mastantuono, the latest gem from Argentine football. A 17-year-old left-footed attacking midfielder with a good strike and quality. He is highly regarded at the Bernabéu, always attentive to the promises of South America, but it seems that there is a bidding war for him. However, he would not arrive until after the Club World Cup, as he does not turn 18 until August. A casting moment.