Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has suffered a big blow after the club brutally declined his next top transfer target.
Tough Start for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid as Setbacks Mount
Xabi Alonso’s managerial reign at Real Madrid has begun under intense scrutiny following a shocking 2-2 draw with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup. The result leaves the Spanish giants in a precarious position, needing victories in both of their remaining group-stage matches — against Pachuca and RB Salzburg — to ensure progression to the knockout rounds.
The disappointing debut result wasn’t the only blow for Alonso.
Just days after the match, Real Madrid confirmed that Kylian Mbappé — the club’s marquee summer signing — has been hospitalized with an acute case of gastroenteritis. While the illness is not believed to be long-term, club doctors have indicated Mbappé is unlikely to be fit for Madrid’s next group-stage match, further complicating Alonso’s plans.
Now, things have taken an even more frustrating turn.
Reports from Spanish media suggest that Alonso has been blocked from pursuing a key transfer target as the club’s board grows increasingly cautious about financial and regulatory constraints. While the identity of the player remains undisclosed, sources close to the club suggest it was a high-profile midfielder, seen as a potential replacement for the aging Luka Modrić.
According to insiders, Real Madrid’s hierarchy, led by president Florentino Pérez, has reined in Alonso’s transfer ambitions in an effort to balance the wage structure and comply with upcoming UEFA financial sustainability rules. The decision has reportedly caused tension behind the scenes, with Alonso keen to reshape the squad quickly after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, who departed after a glittering final season.
With his top striker sidelined and key transfer plans halted, Alonso’s early days in charge are proving to be a test of resilience — both on and off the pitch.
His next challenge? Getting a result against Pachuca without Mbappé and under mounting pressure from fans, media, and club executives alike.
Real Madrid’s Transfer Plans Stall as Alonso Denied Top Midfield Target
Since taking the reins at Real Madrid in May, Xabi Alonso has overseen a flurry of high-profile arrivals designed to usher in a new era at the Bernabéu. The Spanish giants moved swiftly to secure Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, promising young defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, and Argentine starlet Franco Mastantuono from River Plate — signalling a strong show of faith in their new manager.
However, that early momentum may be fading.
According to a new report from Marca, Madrid’s hierarchy is now pumping the brakes on further major spending, especially in midfield — a decision that could place Alonso in a challenging position just weeks into his tenure.
Sources close to the club indicate that Alonso had made it clear upon arrival that he felt the squad lacked a true creative playmaker, and he reportedly earmarked Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad as the ideal fit for the role. Zubimendi, long admired for his composure on the ball and tactical intelligence, is now widely expected to join Arsenal instead — a blow to Madrid’s recruitment hopes and to Alonso’s tactical plans.
The board’s stance is that the club already possesses sufficient midfield quality to meet expectations. With names like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurélien Tchouaméni in the ranks, Madrid believes Alonso has the tools to succeed without adding another central midfielder — despite stylistic differences among those players.
The situation has stirred murmurs of friction, as Alonso reportedly views Zubimendi as a rare type of deep-lying orchestrator Madrid currently lacks — someone capable of linking defense and attack with consistent rhythm and vision, especially following Luka Modrić’s gradual decline and Toni Kroos’ recent retirement.
This impasse, coming on the heels of a disappointing 2-2 draw against Al Hilal in Alonso’s first match and Kylian Mbappé’s unexpected illness, raises early questions about the alignment between Madrid’s sporting project and Alonso’s vision.
If results falter in the short term, the decision to block Alonso’s preferred signing may come under closer scrutiny.
Although Real Madrid appeared subdued in their opening Club World Cup match, the presence of talents like Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Arda Güler in midfield suggests this is only a temporary blip. All three have the quality and versatility to drive the team forward, and with further reinforcements expected across other areas of the pitch this summer, it feels like only a matter of time before Madrid truly flourish under Xabi Alonso’s stewardship.
