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Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Football, Transfers, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Ryan Smart
Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Football, Transfers, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool
Real Madrid have not yet been able to secure any of the three signings that Xabi Alonso reportedly wanted when he was appointed as manager.
Alonso has now overseen his debut weeks in charge of Real, with the Spaniard handed a baptism of fire at the Club World Cup.
While the trophy may not be as prestigious as the Champions League or domestic titles, all three of Real's group games were sold out and Alonso has fielded a full-strength side in their matches thus far.
Both Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold, signed by Real this summer from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively, have started all three games in the States.
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Franco Mastantuono, meanwhile, has agreed to join Los Blancos but cannot officially sign until his 18th birthday on August 14, and is representing Argentine side River Plate at the tournament.
According to Spanish outlet AS, Real have not managed to acquire three other players that Alonso is said to have requested all the way back in April.
The first player on the list is said to have been Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.
AS reported that Alonso identified his compatriot as the best available option to strengthen his midfield, despite the 25-year-old being in advanced talks with Arsenal.
North London now looks set to be his destination, with The Athletic's David Ornstein reporting that Zubimendi arrived in England last week to 'complete formalities' surrounding his transfer.
The Spaniard allegedly wanted president Florentino Perez to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, with the 22-year-old eventually joining Liverpool for an initial £100 million last week.
Wirtz told reporters that he did have discussions with Alonso before making a decision on his future, and said that he was 'very happy that I joined Liverpool'.
And the third name on the list was Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, whom Alonso coached for two-and-a-half seasons in Germany.
Tah's contract was due to expire this summer and reports over his future for months have surrounded which club he would sign for.
It was claimed in May that Alonso wanted to bring the German to the Bernabeu with him, but the 30-year-old has since signed for Leverkusen's Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich on a free transfer.