Xabi Alonso has found the next Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid without spending anything

Xabi Alonso may have uncovered the next Florian Wirtz, and he's already a Real Madrid player.

Just last month, Liverpool sent shockwaves across all of football after they announced that they had signed Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz for a club record fee of a guaranteed £100m plus a further £16m in add-ons.

The German international attracted interest from several of the top clubs in Europe, including both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, but ultimately opted to pen a five-year deal with the Reds.

Since then, both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been forced to consider alternative options to the talented midfielder, a difficult task given the fact that they have both been competing in the ongoing Club World Cup.

But it appears that Real's busy schedule at the competition may have come as a blessing in disguise, as it has allowed Alonso to uncover a player who could be the next Wirtz.

Florian Wirtz signed a five year contract with Liverpool in June. (Image: Getty)

Despite the fact that Real exited the Club World Cup in embarrassing fashion following a crushing 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the competition has allowed Alonso to get used to his new team.

And in doing so, the Spaniard has realised just how talented young midfielder Arda Guler truly is, identifying him as someone who could fulfil the role that Wirtz played in Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen squad.

As pointed out in a report by TotalFootballAnalysis, Alonso has deployed Guler in several different roles during the Club World Cup, figuring out exactly how the Turkish international fits into his team.

Against Juventus, the 20-year-old played as an invered winger while against Dortmund he played in a double pivot alongside Aurelien Tchouameni.

Arda Guler impressed during the Club World Cup. (Image: Getty)

On both occasions, the youngster stood out as one of the best players on the pitch, demonstrating that, like Wirtz, he is capable of receiving and pass the ball quickly at impressive ranges while also creating chances for his teammates.

Although Real boast several of the world's best midfielders, including the likes of Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, none better fit the role that Wirtz played for Alonso's at his previous club than Guler.

Wirtz made 119 appearances for Alonso, and therefore leaves big shoes to fill, but Guler can replicate the tactical flexibility that the German gave Alonso at Leverkusen, and therefore we could see him become a regular part of the Real Madrid team next season.