La Liga
While Real Madrid focuses on reaching the Club World Cup final, planning for the upcoming season is progressing behind the scenes. Although Xabi Alonso has reiterated in a press conference that his mind is solely focused on the current competition, he has already begun privately shaping the squad he desires for the 2025-2026 campaign.
One of the names that most convinces the Basque coach is Argentine Exequiel Palacios, the current player for Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso knows the midfielder well and considers him a piece that could provide balance, work rate, and quality to the Madrid midfield, adding variations with his vision and physical prowess.
As reported by DefensaCentral, the interest has reached the attention of the Madrid board, where both Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez would be willing to negotiate his signing as long as it fits within an economic limit: not more than 20 million euros. This would be the ceiling set to try and close the deal, which will directly depend on the willingness of the German club, which has been firm in transfer matters on other occasions.
Real Madrid Sets Limit to Sign Him
From the sports management, Juni Calafat has closely followed the progress of the Argentine international and supports his arrival. Palacios, on his part, would view joining the white club favorably and is ready to take the leap if the opportunity arises.
If the deal materializes, it would be the first reinforcement explicitly requested by Alonso since his arrival, a sign that the new Real Madrid project is beginning to take shape with pieces the coach deems crucial for his style of play. The next move will undoubtedly set the course for the new cycle at Chamartín.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El centrocampista de 20 millones que Xabi Alonso ha pedido al Real Madrid
