Xabi Alonso’s Inaugural Demand: Prioritizing Zubimendi as His First Major Real Madrid Signing

 

The Santiago Bernabéu finds itself at a pivotal juncture, the echoes of a potentially underwhelming season reverberating through its storied halls. Real Madrid’s recent campaign has been marred by significant setbacks, most notably a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, a two-legged affair that extinguished their European dreams.1 Domestically, the fierce rivalry with Barcelona continues, with Los Blancos currently trailing their Catalan arch-nemesis by a significant seven-point margin in the La Liga title race, occupying the unaccustomed position of second place.2 While a Copa del Rey final appearance offers a glimmer of hope for silverware, the daunting task of overcoming Barcelona in the final hurdle looms large.

Amidst this backdrop of unfulfilled expectations, the future of current Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has come under intense scrutiny. Reports from Sky Sports suggest that the experienced Italian tactician is poised to depart the Spanish capital following the Copa del Rey final, with the Brazilian national team reportedly his next destination. This potential departure would leave a significant void at the helm of one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs, igniting a search for a suitable successor capable of steering the Real Madrid ship back to its accustomed position of dominance.

The name of Jürgen Klopp, the charismatic former Liverpool manager, had initially been floated as a potential candidate for the Real Madrid hot seat. However, these speculations have been largely dismissed, with reports indicating that Klopp is “very excited about his new role as Red Bull’s head of global football,” suggesting his immediate focus lies outside the realm of direct club management.

With Klopp seemingly out of the running, the spotlight has now firmly shifted towards another familiar face for the Real Madrid faithful: former Spain international midfielder Xabi Alonso. The current manager of Bayer Leverkusen has garnered widespread acclaim for his impressive work in the Bundesliga, transforming the club into a formidable force. Adding credence to the rumors of his potential return to Madrid, Bayer CEO Fernando Caro recently revealed the existence of a “gentleman’s agreement” that would allow Alonso to leave the German club if one of his former esteemed clubs comes calling.

Now, a compelling report emerging from Spain claims that Xabi Alonso, seemingly the frontrunner to take over at Real Madrid should Ancelotti indeed depart, has already identified his priority target for his first major signing at the club. The player in question is none other than Real Sociedad’s influential midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, a player who has also been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal.3

According to the Spanish publication Defensa Central, Alonso firmly believes that the acquisition of Zubimendi is not merely a desirable addition but a “necessary” one for the Real Madrid midfield. The report suggests that Alonso holds the conviction that Zubimendi possesses a distinct level of quality and tactical intelligence that sets him apart from the current midfield options available at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Zubimendi’s burgeoning reputation as a world-class midfielder is further underscored by the glowing assessment of Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, who, in a February 2024 interview with The Guardian, described the Real Sociedad star as a “world-class” player.4 This high praise from a fellow professional playing in a different league speaks volumes about Zubimendi’s exceptional abilities and the respect he commands within the footballing community.

Adding another layer of intrigue to this transfer saga is the existence of a €60 million (£51.5 million, $69 million) release clause embedded within Zubimendi’s current contract with Real Sociedad.5 This fixed price could potentially streamline any transfer negotiations, providing a clear financial framework for interested clubs.

Alonso’s reported unwavering stance on making Zubimendi his top priority signing would undoubtedly represent a significant blow to Arsenal’s transfer ambitions. The Gunners, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, have reportedly been working diligently behind the scenes to convince the talented midfielder to make the move to the Emirates Stadium during the upcoming summer transfer window. Zubimendi’s profile as a technically gifted and defensively astute midfielder perfectly aligns with Arteta’s tactical philosophy, making him a key target for the North London club.

The potential arrival of Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid and his determined pursuit of Zubimendi sets the stage for a fascinating transfer battle between two of Europe’s elite clubs. The outcome of this pursuit could have significant ramifications for both Real Madrid’s midfield composition and Arsenal’s summer recruitment plans. As the managerial landscape at the Bernabéu potentially undergoes a transformation, Alonso’s early transfer demands offer a compelling glimpse into his vision for the future of Real Madrid, with the talented Martin Zubimendi seemingly central to his plans.