Real Madrid News
Real Madrid legend wants to replace Ancelotti at the Bernabeu amid PSG links
According to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, PSG are interested in Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso to replace current head coach Christophe Galtier.
However, the former Spain international is not leaning towards the job as he wants to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid when the latter leaves the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alonso, 41, is a legend at Real Madrid and enjoyed several successful years at the club in his playing career. Since hanging up his boots, the former midfielder spent time as a coach with the Merengues’ youth teams and had a stint with Real Sociedad’s reserves.
Alonso was given his big break by Bayer Leverkusen earlier this season and he has enjoyed a fine campaign in Germany.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner has taken Die Werkself from 17th to sixth place in the Bundesliga table as well as guided them to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, where they lost to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.
Despite not having much experience at the highest level, PSG are understood to be attracted to Alonso due to the way his team plays as well as his handling of the players. To that end, they have already initiated contact with the 41-year-old’s entourage.
However, they are unlikely to succeed in their pursuit of Alonso due to two factors. For starters, the 41-year-old does not wish to leave Bayer Leverkusen right away, with the club also keen to hand him a new contract.
On top of that, the report states that Alonso is keen to succeed Ancelotti as the manager of Real Madrid once the Italian tactician vacates the spot.
Over the past few months, when Ancelotti’s future had been in question, Alonso’s name had featured prominently in the rumour mill as a possible replacement.
However, the 63-year-old Real Madrid boss is set to stay put at the club for one more season, with his contract expiring next year. As such, Alonso seemingly wishes to replace Ancelotti when that happens.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
