Xabi Alonso's wanted list! Real Madrid told the TWO players the former midfielder wants to sign if he replaces Carlo Ancelotti as manager

The current Bayer Leverkusen boss has impressed with his tactical acumen and leadership in the Bundesliga and is now viewed as the frontrunner to take over the reins at the Santiago Bernabéu, especially with Ancelotti’s position becoming increasingly precarious. The club is reportedly planning a phased transition, with Santiago Solari being considered as an interim solution to oversee Real Madrid's involvement in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. Following that, Alonso would be introduced as the permanent manager, tasked with leading the new era at the capital club.

According to reports from Spanish outlet AS, Alonso has two familiar names, Martín Zubimendi and Florian Wirtz, high on the priority list. Both players are well-known to Madrid scouts, with the club having kept tabs on them for some time.

Zubimendi from Real Sociedad reportedly has a €60 million (£51m/$68m) release clause, and in the absence of Toni Kroos, he is seen as a fitting replacement to restore balance and fluidity in the heart of midfield. Meanwhile, Wirtz, the creative force behind Bayer Leverkusen’s attack, represents a more expensive proposition. The German international’s transfer fee is expected to surpass €100m (£85m/$113m), and competition from Bayern Munich is likely to complicate matters.

In addition to Zubimendi and Wirtz, there is a third name gaining traction, centre-back Jonathan Tah. The towering German defender, who stands at 1.95 meters, has become a crucial figure at Leverkusen under Alonso’s watch. Although Tah reportedly has a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona, recent developments may have altered that trajectory. Uncertainties around Barcelona’s financial capabilities and their shifting defensive needs could open the door for Real Madrid. Alonso is believed to have given his blessing to the idea of signing Tah, especially considering how integral the defender has been to Leverkusen’s successful three-man defensive system, something Alonso might seek to replicate at Madrid.

With Alonso potentially at the helm and a refined list of transfer priorities in hand, Real Madrid appears poised for a tactical overhaul. Whether the former midfield maestro officially steps into the dugout remains to be confirmed, but the club’s planning suggests they are already looking ahead to a fresh chapter under his guidance.