Xabi Alonso has been a manager in demand since taking over at Bayer Leverkusen.
The German club were fighting at the bottom of the Bundesliga when the Spaniard took over in 2022 and having only managed Real Sociedad’s B team, this was a huge risk taken by the Leverkusen hierarchy.
It is fair to say that it has paid off, as not only did Alonso turn their season around that year, but the 2023/24 campaign was one of the best in football history as Bayer Leverkusen won the Bundesliga undefeated, while completing the double by winning the DFL-Pokal as well.
As a result, Alonso is a manager in demand, and having turned down moves to Bayern Munich and Liverpool last year, the Spanish coach is in line to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid this summer and he hopes to take one of his star players with him.
- READ MORE: Gary Lineker says Man City have a player who does something just like Xabi Alonso used to
Xabi Alonso wants Florian Wirtz at Real Madrid
Man City never made contact with Alonso regarding taking over from Pep Guardiola in the future as the Manchester club are aware that the Spaniard’s priority has always been to take over at Real Madrid.
There has been no official move from Real Madrid to sign the Bayer Leverkusen boss; however, Spanish outlet Diario AS reports that talks have taken place behind the scenes with the 43-year-old expected to succeed Ancelotti.
The La Liga giants have experienced a tough season and ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, changes are needed, and Alonso plans to bring Florian Wirtz with him to the Bernabeu should he get the job, states AS.
Real Madrid have been monitoring the German talent for some time and are ready to compete with Bayern Munich and Man City for Wirtz’s signature.
The report states that a deal for the 21-year-old will not be agreed for less than £85m (€100m), although other reports expect the signing of Wirtz to cost the successful club around £101m (€119m).
What is the latest on Man City’s interest in Florian Wirtz
Wirtz is Man City’s top target heading into the summer as the German star would be the perfect replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose City career will come to an end once the 2024/25 campaign concludes.
Guardiola has already spoken to Wirtz, but it is unclear if the youngster favours a move to the Premier League, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid at present, as the 21-year-old has not decided if he is going to leave Bayer Leverkusen yet.
The latest reports indicate that Bayern Munich are in the lead for the German star as Vincent Kompany is ready to go all out for Wirtz.
The race for the midfielder is set to be one of the more exciting transfer sagas of the summer, as whoever lands the Bundesliga talent is getting a player who could become one of the best players in the world and who could stay there for many years.
