Sources: Alonso close to being named Madrid boss

Real Madrid are finalising a woody for Xabi Alonso to go their caller manager arsenic soon arsenic possible, aggregate sources person told ESPN, with the nine keen to person him successful spot for this summer's Club World Cup.

Alonso would invited the accidental to instrumentality complaint of the squad early, sources said, owed to the deficiency of clip for due pre-season aft the tournament, which is acceptable to extremity conscionable a period earlier the 2025-26 LaLiga run begins. A root told ESPN that an indispensable information for a last statement would beryllium the support of Bayer Leverkusen, but that is not expected to beryllium an issue, fixed the bully narration betwixt the 2 clubs.

Alonso announced past Friday that helium would not proceed arsenic Leverkusen coach, saying it was "the close moment" to determination on. On Sunday, helium said helium would denote his adjacent determination "shortly."

His accomplishment astatine the Bernabéu has been agreed, and is expected to beryllium announced publically soon. On Monday, Carlo Ancelotti was announced arsenic the caller caput manager of Brazil.

Madrid's 4-3 decision to Barcelona successful El Clásico connected Sunday means the squad are connected the brink of losing retired successful the LaLiga rubric race, trailing Barça by 7 points with 3 games remaining.

Sources besides told ESPN that Madrid are adjacent to confirming different aboriginal arrival, that of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, truthful the defender tin question to the United States for the Club World Cup.

Both clubs indispensable hold a compensation fee, arsenic the England international's declaration astatine Anfield expires connected June 30th. Liverpool person asked for a interest to merchandise him, which would beryllium astir €1 cardinal ($1.1m).

With the close backmost presumption covered, Madrid volition besides enactment to fortify the centre of defence and left-back.

The nine believes some positions request much prime and further players, with the defence being the astir susceptible portion of the squad this season.

Among others, the names of Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen person been discussed, though the comparatively precocious terms tags for some -- €60 cardinal ($66.7m) and €50m ($55.6m) respectively -- are a drawback and person seen Madrid look to support different options open.

Another subordinate who is highly rated is William Saliba. Madrid person tracked the Arsenal subordinate since his indebtedness spell astatine Marseille successful 2021.

However his declaration expires successful 2027, and the precocious outgo of a determination would mean either waiting to negociate with Arsenal successful a year's time, oregon waiting again, for him to go a escaped agent.

Additions to cardinal midfield besides haven't been ruled out, successful bid to capable a cardinal relation that Madrid are missing, pursuing the status of Toni Kroos past summer.

It remains to beryllium seen what happens successful presumption of departures.

There are expected to beryllium respective players leaving, and that volition besides interaction imaginable recruits, though nine sources told ESPN they don't expect a large overhaul of the squad.