Real Madrid News
Here we go – Xabi Alonso signs for Real Madrid until 2028; plan to start from Club World Cup
With Carlo Ancelotti set to bid goodbye from Real Madrid at the end of the La Liga season, the Merengues have his replacement lined up in the form of Xabi Alonso.
Indeed, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the 43-year-old tactician will be joining Real Madrid soon, giving his trademark ‘Here we go’ seal to the deal.
Alonso’s contract until 2028
Alonso announced last weekend that he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen and bid an emotional goodbye to the Bundesliga club fans after their last home game of the season.
Now, it has been confirmed that the former Spanish midfielder has signed for Real Madrid, penning a three-year contract with the Merengues until 2028.
The update from Romano further states that all details of the deal, including his staff members, have been sorted and the manager has signed a three-year contract.
In fact, the plan is for Alonso to start working soon, in time for the FIFA Club World Cup starting next month.
Leverkusen play their final game of the season this Saturday, May 17, while Real Madrid’s last league game of the campaign will take place on May 25, following which Alonso will be expected to take over the reins.
As far as Ancelotti’s departure is concerned, it is not ruled out that an announcement could be made as early as this week, with the Italian expected to sign for the Brazilian national team imminently.
Still in the nascent stages of his managerial career at the highest level, Alonso has enjoyed a fruitful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to the league and cup double last season, along with the UEFA Europa League final.
This time around, Alonso has managed to secure a second-place finish in the Bundesliga for Die Werkself and while they finished in the top-eight of the UEFA Champions League group phase, they were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Round of 16.
A new era is upon Real Madrid, with Alonso expected to usher in some major tactical and stylistic changes once he takes over.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
