Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid, La Liga
Josh Lawless
Xabi Alonso is set for huge meetings with three Real Madrid players as he prepares to take the managerial job at his former club.
After announcing his departure from Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso is set to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the hotseat when the legendary manager takes the Brazil national team post.
Alonso has only just wrapped up his spell with Leverkusen after they played out a 2-2 draw with Mainz in his final game and an official announcement on him returning to Real hasn't yet been posted.
However, it appears as though the Spaniard is already trying to put his stamp on Los Blancos.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is poised to join on a free transfer in one of football's worst kept secrets, while Real have snapped up Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen after triggering his £50 million release clause.
But there is some uncertainty with the current playing squad at the Santiago Bernabeu and according to AS, Alonso is expected to have meetings with a trio of stars.
According to the report, winger Rodrygo Goes is "waiting for a conversation" to see if he is in the plans of Alonso, who wants to play a 4-2-2-2 formation with Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe as a pairing and Jude Bellingham on the left.
It could mean the Brazilian has to accept a "supporting role" if he decides to stay put - though it's noted he has "one foot" out of Real.
David Alaba, Real's third highest-paid player is also in a similar boat after struggling with injuries and form - particularly given the arrival of Huijsen.
And with former Manchester United player Alvaro Carreras likely to be the preferred option at left-back if they can do thrash out a deal with Benfica, "an urgent conversation" with Ferland Mendy is believed to be on the cards to find out whether he would be willing to play less.
Real will explore signing a new striker and central midfielder but a different report from MARCA claims Alonso has been successful in requesting that Luka Modric sign a contract extension.
The Croatian, a former teammate of Alonso's, will be 40 in September but is wanted for a 14th season because of his experience and leadership.