Real Madrid to offer Man Utd transfer target in STUNNING Xabi Alonso swap

Suraj Radia

20 Apr 2025 15:00 BST
4 min read

Real Madrid have made hiring Xabi Alonso as their new ‘primary objective’ and the Spanish giants could get creative to avoid paying a massive fee for Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.

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Speculation has intensified this week over Ancelotti’s future after Real’s disappointing Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, with some reports claiming that the Italian could lose his job after the Copa Del Rey final against Barcelona at the end of the month.

However, with Real wanting to appoint Alonso, a more likely timeline will be at the end of the season, ideally before the Club World Cup in June, with negotiations soon begin over a fee for the Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Reports in Germany claimed that Leverkusen could demand as much as €20 million for Alonso, leading to Spanish outlet SPORT suggesting that Real may look to send a player to the Bundesliga side as compensation.

And the player reportedly on the table is Arda Guler, with the wonderkid highly-sought after by many sides including Leverkusen and Manchester United, with Real reportedly willing to sanction a loan move or a sale with a buy-back clause.

Current ETV

Arda Güler

AM (R), M (CR)

Real Madrid

Arda Güler

AM (R), M (CR)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€47.8M - €58.4M

Although Guler is said to prefer a move to Italy if he is to leave Real, meaning negotiations are likely to drag on despite an acceptance that Alonso will eventually replace Ancelotti in Madrid this summer.

Real’s complicated path to cut-price Alonso appointment

Guler joined Real in 2023 but the 20-year-old has made just 12 La Liga starts in his two years at the club, leaving the playmaker frustrated and ready to consider his future.

Plenty of teams have declared an interest in Guler and the Turkish international had initially been ‘determined’ to leave Real but he is now open to staying with Ancelotti set to depart.

© IMAGO - Arda Guler has been frustrated with his lack of game time at Real Madrid.

Nico Paz is another player listed as a candidate to be offered to Leverkusen despite the youngster being owned by Como, with Real first needing to activate their own buy-back clause before then sending him to the Bundesliga.

Paz would also have to consent to the move, which would not be a foregone conclusion given his development and comfort under Cesc Fabregas at Como.

What is certain is that Real will have to pay a substantial amount for Alonso and the club will do whatever they can to lower that amount, while also remaining respectful to Ancelotti and maintaining their strong relationship with Leverkusen in negotiations.

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