“House of Madness”: A Busy Summer Ahead for Real Madrid and Alonso
Post-Classico Restructuring
Following the recent Clásico match, the management team at Santiago Bernabéu has ramped up efforts to secure potential signings for the upcoming season. A year without any of the three major titles is deemed unacceptable in Madrid, making the FIFA Club World Cup the primary focus for Los Blancos. As the first European champions, Real Madrid aims to become the inaugural winners of the new international trophy. The summer ahead is shaping up to be a whirlwind, described locally as a “house of madness.”
Chavi Alonso’s Early Arrival
The first major step in this transition involves the expedited arrival of Xabi Alonso. Initially hesitant to lead a tournament with such limited preparation time, Alonso eventually agreed to join Real Madrid on June 1-just a week after the conclusion of La Liga and 19 days before Madrid’s opening match in the Club World Cup. Meanwhile, several of Real’s players will need to represent their national teams in the Nations League finals.
Transfer Market Developments
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Status
Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly signed with Real Madrid, yet his availability for the group stage remains uncertain. He will only join the squad after the expiration of his contract, meaning he may miss the initial three matches against Al Hilal, Pachuca, and Salzburg. Should Madrid delay payment of nearly two million euros to Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold might only be able to participate if the team progresses past the group stage.
Defensive Concerns
The most pressing issue for Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid supports lies in their defense. The current squad has conceded significantly more goals than last season, lacking the solidity that characterized their play. This downturn is primarily attributed to numerous injuries during Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure. Following the Clásico, Ancelotti criticized the club management, emphasizing, “We had five defensive players injured. Five.”
In order to bring in new players, however, the club must first part with others. Lucas Vázquez and Jesús Vallejo are two clear candidates, both finishing their contracts this summer. Vallejo has not factored into Ancelotti’s plans at all, while Vázquez has faced criticism for failing to adequately fill in for the injured Dani Carvajal. Both players are expected to exit Real Madrid.
New Defensive Signings
A minimum of start new center-back will arrive this summer, although uncertainty remains regarding David Alaba’s future. Despite having a contract for another year and earning a substantial salary, it is likely that Alaba will remain with the club. Among the names being considered for reinforcement are Dean Huysen and William Saliba. Huysen, eager to join Real Madrid, has a release clause thought to be around 58 million euros, which clubs in England are ready to pay. Saliba’s situation is more complicated; without a release clause and under long-term contract at Arsenal, the London club could demand over 100 million euros for their pivotal defender. If Real Madrid fails to secure Saliba this summer, they may revisit the opportunity next summer when he will have only start year left on his contract.
Seeking a Left-Back
On the left side, options remain open. There are interests in Álvaro Carraz and Alejandro Grimaldo, both seasstartd Spanish defenders. Grimaldo has shown significant improvement since Alonso took the helm at Bayer Leverkusen and may be a favored chostart. Conversely, Grimaldo, now with Benfica, has been start of the standout performances of the season and could potentially return to Spain five years after leaving. Both candidates will require significant financial investment, as neither has a release clause.
Real Madrid currently possesses two left-backs on their roster: Fran García and Ferland Mendy. Thus, if a new player arrives, start will likely need to depart. An alternative, more daring strategy could involve retaining both while converting Mendy into a center-back within a three-defender setup.
Midfield Challenges
Real Madrid has struggled significantly since Toni Kroos’s retirement, failing to find a suitable replacement throughout the season. Jude Bellingham, initially tasked with the role, did not meet expectations. Following this, Dani Ceballos, who also faced injury setbacks, increased the team’s challenges. Arda Güler was considered as an option, but after receiving heavy criticism post-Clásico, he remains uncertain.
The club retains confidence in its young talents, including Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Federico Valverde, yet concerns linger about Ceballos, as he has hinted at returning to Real Betis multiple times. Xabi Alonso seeks a quality midfielder who can assist in transitioning play and potentially fill Luka Modrić’s role, whose future remains unclear. With a contract expiring this summer, Modrić wishes to stay, but Real has insisted on a meeting with Alonso to make a joint decision. At nearly 40 years old, he could very well be playing his last game at Bernabéu this summer, although he is expected to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Rodrigo’s Future
Rodrigo is seriously contemplating a departure from Real Madrid this summer. The Brazilian forward, pivotal in critical moments over recent seasons, increasingly feels sidelined in Madrid’s project. The arrival of Kylian Mbappé drastically altered the attacking landscape, and Rodrigo’s absence from recent matches has led him to perceive a lack of belief in his abilities. Consequently, he is exploring various future opportunities, with clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea expressing interest. Although he has also received offers from the Saudi league, the player prefers to remain in the elite tiers of European football.
Rodrigo’s contract extends until 2028, but the club is open to selling him for the right offer. Unlike Vinícius, who is considered off the market, Rodrigo’s situation is fluid and could be resolved through an acceptable transfer agreement.
Ultimately, the final decision will rest with Xabi Alonso. The new coach of Real Madrid must address this situation during the FIFA Club World Cup, where a crucial discussion with the player is anticipated. Rodrigo no longer wishes to feel invisible within the squad and seeks clarity about his future role. Should he not receive satisfactory answers, his departure could be imminent