Real Madrid are in the midst of a major overhaul of their current squad. After a poor season, in which they were only able to win the European Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, president Florentino Perez and Jose Angel Sanchez have set about designing what will be Real Madrid for the 2025-26 season. This time, with more urgency than usual, as the intention is for some reinforcements to make their debuts in the Club World Cup under Xabi Alonso.
For now, the arrival of the former Real Madrid player to the Santiago Bernabeu has not even been officially confirmed. It has only been confirmed that he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen after a successful spell and that Carlo Ancelotti will coach the Brazilian national team, but it is practically a fact that the Basque coach will be in charge of trying to straighten the course after a difficult campaign.
Left-back wanted: Carreras, Grimaldo, Gutierrez…
The arrival of Dean Huijsen at Real Madrid is already confirmed after the club paid Bournemouth the release clause of the Spanish international, set at 58 million euros. The arrival of the Spanish-Dutch central defender has been the first but will not be the last. Now Real Madrid is looking for a left-back, and all roads point to Alvaro Carreras, currently at Benfica but linked to Manchester United. In case the negotiation does not go through, the other name that has been strongly mentioned is Alejandro Grimaldo. In recent statements, the player has shown his willingness to follow in Xabi Alonso’s footsteps and swap Bayer Leverkusen for Real Madrid. The third name in the running, and the cheapest option of those mentioned, would be Miguel Gutierrez (Girona), who was trained in Real Madrid’s youth academy.
The midfield raffle: Wirtz, Zubimendi, Enzo, Mastantuono…
The rumor mill surrounding the midfielder that Real Madrid is theoretically looking to sign this summer is long and varied, with names of players from all over the world. One obvious one is Florian Wirtz, a player who Xabi Alonso knows well from his time at Bayer Leverkusen. The betting is on Bayern Munich as a possible destination, but there are those who point to a possible turn of events. The same goes for Martin Zubimendi, who in theory would have everything in place to end up at Arsenal unless the Txuri Urdin connection with Xabi Alonso prevents it at the last moment. There are also some German midfielders who have stood out in the Bundesliga in the eyes of Xabi Alonso and who could come at a lower price, such as Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart) and Hugo Larsson (Eintracht Frankfurt). In Argentina, some media outlets take it for granted that the target is Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), while others are betting on Franco Mastantuono (River Plate) or even Exequiel Palacios, another player Xabi knows. Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders (Milan), who was linked with City, would be another option. Another issue on the table is the possible return of Nico Paz (Como).
Fantasy Football forwards: the ‘bomb’ Nico Williams, Ante Budimir…
MARCA reported on Tuesday that Real Madrid were seriously considering the signing of Nico Williams. He is considered a very attractive market option due to the price (58 million euros release clause) and the potential of a young player who has already proven himself in LaLiga and also internationally with the Spanish national team. It would be another step in the process of Spanishisation of the team that seems to be looming in the short term.
In attack, another name that has come to the fore in recent hours is Ante Budimir to fill the vacancy left last season by Joselu’s departure as a back-up centre-forward. The Osasuna player has stood out this season and would be a useful resource in certain matches.
And for the goal… an investment for the future: Joan Garcia
Andriy Lunin looks set to end his days at Real Madrid, so the Spanish giants would be in need of a goalkeeper to be Thibaut Courtois’ bodyguard. Between the sticks, the name that sounds strongest is that of Joan Garcia, Espanyol’s goalkeeper who has shone brightly this season. His name is also being linked with other big clubs in Europe.
