REAL MADRID sacked Xabi Alonso six months after failing to land his top summer transfer target.
Alonso was desperate for a midfield linchpin in the mould of Toni Kroos, who spent a decade with Los Blancos before retiring in 2024.
And he had pinpointed Martin Zubimendi – then of Real Sociedad – as the metronomic passer who would have been key to his project.
But Zubimendi – a Basque native like Alonso – ended up signing for Arsenal in early July.
AS claim that Zubimendi “waited a few days” before committing to the Gunners, convinced that signing for Real would have been an “unmissable opportunity”.
But Bernabeu bosses weren’t fully “convinced”, and “hesitated” before Arsenal tied up a £60million deal.
CARRI THE BATON
Michael Carrick AGREES to become Man Utd interim manager ahead of Solskjaer
Zubimendi has gone on to start 20 of Arsenal’s 21 Premier League games this season, coming off the bench in the other.
And Alonso is said to have complained to Real staff about the lack of players in his desired profile.
The Madrid side are well-stocked for physical, energetic midfielders in Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham.
But Alonso was unable to find a suitable anchor for the role Granit Xhaka filled when his Bayer Leverkusen side went the entire Bundesliga season unbeaten in 2023-24.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Real dismissed Alonso on Tuesday, the day after their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona.
Another former Liverpool man, Alvaro Arbeloa, has stepped straight into the top job after working with the academy and the B team.
Alonso’s sudden availability could put Premier League clubs on alert.
The Spaniard has long been linked with a return to Anfield, where Arne Slot’s title defence fell apart before Christmas.
Manchester City could also be on the hunt for a new boss at the end of the season amid rumours Pep Guardiola is nearing the end of his spell at the Etihad.
