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Xabi Alonso's impending arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu is set to usher in a new
era for Real Madrid, and reports from Spain suggest the legendary midfielder-
turned-manager already has a 'world-class' target in mind – none other than
Barcelona's highly-rated midfielder, Pedri.
Alonso, who recently confirmed his departure from Bayer Leverkusen after a
historic season that saw him guide the club to Bundesliga glory and a domestic
double, is widely expected to take the helm at Real Madrid following Carlo
Ancelotti's agreed exit at the end of the current season. While Real Madrid boasts a
galaxy of stars, a campaign that has seen them falter in the Champions League
quarter-finals and lose the Copa del Rey final to their bitter rivals Barcelona has
highlighted areas for potential reinforcement. With Barcelona also holding a four-
point lead at the top of La Liga with just four rounds remaining, the desire to
strengthen and reclaim domestic dominance will be paramount for Alonso.
According to a sensational report in the Spanish publication Defensa Central,
Alonso holds a strong admiration for Pedri and 'would like the Spain international
to be at Real Madrid'. The report claims that Alonso believes Pedri's profile makes
him 'a great fit for this team' and considers him an 'ideal asset'.
However, the report also injects a dose of reality into this audacious wish. Having
spent five successful years as a player at the Bernabeu, Alonso is acutely aware of
the intense rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Consequently, the 43-
year-old 'knows that signing Pedri is impossible', despite the headline suggesting
his desire to do so. This understanding suggests that while a direct move for Pedri
is not feasible, the idea of bringing in a player of the 22-year-old's calibre and
profile might be a driving force behind Alonso's transfer strategy.
Pedri has firmly established himself as a pivotal figure for Barcelona since his
arrival. Described as "a world-class player" by his teammate Marc Casado, the
Canary Islander has been a near-constant presence in the Blaugrana midfield. This
season alone, he has featured in 55 matches across all competitions, contributing
six goals and providing seven assists, underlining his importance to the team's
creativity and flow. His ability to dictate tempo, pick a pass, and drive forward from
midfield has drawn widespread praise and made him one of the most sought-after
young talents in world football.
Guardiola's Verdict on Alonso
Adding further intrigue to the managerial merry-go-round, Manchester City boss
Pep Guardiola, a figure intrinsically linked with Barcelona's modern history, has
offered his glowing assessment of Xabi Alonso. Guardiola, who managed Alonso
during their time together at Bayern Munich where they secured two Bundesliga
titles, is a keen admirer of the Spaniard's coaching prowess.
Speaking recently, Guardiola was full of praise for Alonso's transformative impact
at Bayer Leverkusen. As quoted by BBC Sport, Guardiola stated: "Wow, his impact
on Leverkusen has been unbelievable." He added, "I think all the managers who
had the opportunity and the pleasure to have him as a player always realised that
he would be a manager."
Guardiola highlighted the difficulty of challenging Bayern Munich's dominance in
Germany and lauded Leverkusen's unbeaten domestic season under Alonso last
year (prior to their Europa League final loss to Atalanta). He commended "The way
they played, the way he improved the players," concluding that "Leverkusen
themselves have to be so proud of the partnership that they had for just three
years." These комплименты from one of the most respected managers in the game
underscore the high regard in which Alonso is held and amplify the anticipation
surrounding his move to Real Madrid.
The Managerial Landscape and Other Transfer Rumours
Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid comes as Carlo Ancelotti prepares to depart.
Recent reports confirm that Ancelotti and Real Madrid have reached an agreement
for his exit at the end of the current season, with the Italian heavily linked with
taking over the Brazilian national team. This opens the door for Alonso to step into
one of the most demanding and prestigious managerial roles in world football.
While Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Alonso to become the new
manager, it's reported that Santiago Solari might take over on an interim basis
before Alonso's official arrival, depending on Ancelotti's final departure timeline
and Real Madrid's participation in the Club World Cup.
Beyond the potential, albeit unlikely, pursuit of Pedri, Real Madrid are, as always,
being linked with a host of other players as they look to fine-tune their squad for
the upcoming season under Alonso. The Spanish media has been rife with transfer
speculation.
One notable rumour involves Liverpool's versatile full-back, Trent Alexander-
Arnold. Reports suggest that Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool after
20 years at the club and is strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu on a free
transfer following the expiry of his contract. It was sensationally claimed that the
English international gave Liverpool a blunt 12-word response when they offered
him a contract with a better salary package than Real Madrid, indicating a clear
preference for a move to the Spanish capital. If this move materializes, he would
follow in the footsteps of other notable English players like Steve McManaman and
Michael Owen who swapped Anfield for the Bernabeu.
Another high-profile player linked with a switch to Real Madrid is Manchester City's
midfield maestro, Kevin De Bruyne. Reports have indicated that Real Madrid have
been offered the chance to sign the Belgian international. However, the response
from Los Blancos to this offer remains to be fully clarified in the public domain. De
Bruyne's contract situation and potential availability would undoubtedly make
him an attractive, albeit likely expensive, option for any top club.
Furthermore, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly interested in
signing a "Sunderland sensation." Recent reports have identified this player as
young English midfielder Jobe Bellingham, brother of current Real Madrid star
Jude Bellingham. Jobe, currently plying his trade in the Championship with
Sunderland, has impressed with his performances and is seen as a potential future
prospect by the Madrid hierarchy.
Crossing the Divide: A Rare Occurrence
The idea of a player moving directly from Barcelona to Real Madrid, or vice versa, is
a rare and often controversial phenomenon due to the intense historical and
cultural rivalry between the two clubs. While Xabi Alonso's reported admiration for
Pedri is clear, the practicalities of such a transfer make it highly improbable in the
modern era.
Historically, a select few players have dared to cross this deeply ingrained divide.
The most infamous example remains Luis Figo's sensational move from Barcelona
to Real Madrid in 2000, a transfer that sparked outrage among Barcelona fans and
is still remembered for the hostile reception he received on his return to the Camp
Nou. Other notable players who have represented both clubs include:
Javier Saviola: Moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2007.
Michael Laudrup: Joined Real Madrid from Barcelona in 1994.
Luis Milla: Made the switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 1990.
Bernd Schuster: Played for Barcelona before joining Real Madrid in 1988.
These examples highlight that while transfers between the two clubs are not
unprecedented, they are far from commonplace and are often met with significant
passion and, at times, animosity from theファンbase of the selling club.
while the prospect of Xabi Alonso bringing Pedri to Real Madrid remains a
captivating, albeit far-fetched, idea fueled by a manager's appreciation for a
world-class talent, the reality of the El Clasico rivalry makes such a move
incredibly difficult. Nevertheless, as Xabi Alonso prepares to embark on his
managerial journey at the Bernabeu, the rumour mill is in full swing, linking Real
Madrid with a variety of exciting talents as they aim to build a squad capable of
competing for top honours both domestically and in Europe. The coming months
promise to be fascinating as Alonso begins to shape his Real Madrid squad and
implement his vision for the future.
