Real Madrid News
Sources: Liverpool ready to cut losses as Real Madrid see chance to sign Alonso’s trusted star
Real Madrid’s long-standing admiration for Florian Wirtz has reportedly resurfaced, and the timing is no coincidence.
According to a recent report from Fichajes, the Spanish giants are once again monitoring the German playmaker’s situation, even though he only joined Liverpool last summer in a blockbuster deal valued at around €150 million.
When Liverpool secured Wirtz’s signature, it was viewed as one of the most ambitious transfers in Europe.
The club pushed aggressively to fend off competition from other elite sides, convinced that the former Bayer Leverkusen star would become the creative heartbeat of a new project at Anfield.
However, the reality has been far more complex. Wirtz has struggled to fully adapt to the demands placed upon him in England.
His uneven performances in high-profile matches have gradually sparked debate within Liverpool circles about whether the team has been built too heavily around him.
Liverpool are open to selling Wirtz
As a result, Liverpool are no longer completely closing the door on a potential sale.
The report suggests that the Premier League club would now be prepared to listen to serious offers, even if that means accepting a significant financial loss.
The €150 million initially invested could drop to around €110 million, a €40 million reduction that reflects disappointment over his output rather than a loss of belief in his talent.
This shift in stance is where Real Madrid re-enter the picture. It must be noted that Los Blancos had Wirtz firmly on their shortlist long before his move to England.
As such, Alonso’s role could be decisive if his position at the Santiago Bernabeu strengthens further.
Should the coach manage to consolidate his project and end the season with silverware, his authority in sporting decisions would increase significantly.
In that scenario, Alonso is expected to push once again for Wirtz, a player he knows better than almost anyone.
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.
