Real Madrid Rejected Xabi Alonso’s Request To Sign $88M Midfielder Who Now Plays a Pivotal Role at Arsenal

Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid has come to an end, and the club has already announced his replacement. Alvaro Arbeloa has taken the reins at the Santiago Bernabeu, just minutes after the club confirmed the exit of the former Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Xabi Alonso Wanted Arsenal Star To Sign at Real Madrid

Alonso was in charge at Real Madrid for just 34 games before the two sides mutually parted ways. For a club to let go of a manager who won 24 matches and lost just six is a surprise, but reports are now emerging detailing behind-the-scenes reasons for the exit.

Managers like to have the best players possible in their squads, and at times, they have personal preferences. Players they have previously worked with, or those they believe will help execute their tactical vision on the pitch, are often top targets.

However, Real Madrid rejected Alonso’s request to sign a player he had worked with before. The Spaniard wanted Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad before the midfielder moved to Arsenal in the summer.

According to a report in BBC Sport, the midfielder was Alonso’s only transfer request after joining the club, but the board opted against the move. They did not see the need to spend on another player in that position, given they already had Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.

READ MORE: Fans Believe Real Madrid Players Already Had Xabi Alonso Sacked as They Revisit Moment From Supercopa Final

It comes as no surprise that the manager wanted the Spaniard, as he heaped praise on him after working together at Real Sociedad. In 2024, the 44-year-old said (via One Football):

“Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.”

AS reported that Alonso’s representatives held direct talks with Zubimendi in an attempt to convince him to join Los Blancos. However, the midfielder opted to join the Gunners, admitting that he had no doubts after speaking with Mikel Arteta.

“Once I decided to leave Sociedad, Arsenal was a team that, from what I’d seen, suited me well, especially in terms of play. I also wanted a very detail-oriented manager, and in Mikel, as soon as I spoke to him, I found him. At Arsenal there was a very young team, with a lot of passion, very close-knit, eager to win, and even though they haven’t been able to do so, that makes them even more eager.”

Real Madrid’s refusal to sign the midfielder saw him move to the Premier League leaders for $88 million. The Spanish publication reported that the club’s hierarchy were not convinced Alonso’s system required the 26-year-old in midfield to succeed.