By 90min | Created at 2024-11-20 19:36:31 | Updated at 2024-11-21 12:34:01
17 hours ago
The agent of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has insisted they have had no contact with Real Madrid over a possible move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Last summer, as Alonso led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title, the former midfielder was heavily linked with a move away. Both Bayern Munich and Liverpool were publicly rejected, whereas fellow former employers Real Madrid were always tipped to wait until 2025 to launch their pursuit.
More recently, a report claimed Madrid are lining up a double swoop for both Alonso and Leverkusen's star midfielder Florian Wirtz, dreaming of bringing both to the Bernabeu next summer.
Quizzed on Madrid's interest in Alonso, agent Inaki Ibanez emphatically insisted there is nothing more than speculation at this point.
"There was never any talk with Real Madrid," he told MARCA. "History repeats itself a year later.
"We didn't talk, we haven't talked."
Alonso is expected to leave Leverkusen in 2025 / Carl Recine/GettyImages
Current Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, 65, is under contract until 2026 and, while there is not believed to be an urgent desire to part ways with the Italian, there is awareness that his career is likely coming to a close and Madrid may need to enter the market for one of the game's top young coaches.
Working in Madrid's favour is the current lack of big jobs available. Liverpool and Bayern are enjoying life under Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany respectively, while Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona have all hired new coaches this season and are highly unlikely to be in the market.
The Manchester City job also appears to be off the table after Pep Guardiola agreed the terms of an extension, perhaps leaving Madrid with a free run at Alonso if they choose to make a change in the dugout.
