Real Madrid News
Real Madrid and legendary manager are not in discussions over potential return – Romano
Speculation has begun to swirl around the Real Madrid bench once again, but Fabrizio Romano has stepped in to draw a clear line between fact and fiction.
Amid growing scrutiny on Xabi Alonso and an increasingly tense atmosphere around the club, the journalist has assured that there are currently no talks between Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane regarding a potential return.
The clarification comes at a sensitive moment for Los Blancos. Results have taken a worrying turn, with Real Madrid managing just two victories in their last eight matches across competitions.
That downturn has not only dented confidence inside the dressing room but has also placed Alonso firmly under the spotlight, with patience at board level reportedly wearing thin.
Alonso walking on thin ice
According to reports circulating in Spain, the club hierarchy has already drawn a line in the sand.
Should Real Madrid fail to win their next La Liga fixture, decisive action could follow.
That looming test comes away from home against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday night, a venue that has historically proven uncomfortable for visiting giants.
As such, a failure to secure all three points would very likely spell the end of Alonso’s short but turbulent spell in charge.
Zidane will not return
In moments like these, Zidane’s name almost inevitably resurfaces. The Frenchman has twice been called upon to steady the ship during turbulent periods and remains a trusted figure within the club’s power structure.
However, Romano has been emphatic in dismissing the latest rumours.
Despite the noise and external pressure, there has been no contact, no negotiations and no movement towards a Zidane comeback at this stage.
Real Madrid are, for now, standing by Alonso, even if the margin for error has all but disappeared.
Which means Sunday’s clash against Alaves now carries significance far beyond three points.
It could determine not only the direction of the title race, but also whether Alonso is given the chance to reverse the slide or becomes the latest casualty of Madrid’s unforgiving standards.
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.
