Xabi Alonso wants to raid Bayer Leverkusen to sign Jonathan Tah and Alejandro Grimaldo, after agreeing a deal to join Real Madrid.
Alonso is set to be named as Real Madrid’s new head coach, following his decision to leave Leverkusen. The 43-year-old has agreed a three-year contract to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu.
Attention will soon turn to recruitment, as Real Madrid rebuild from a disappointing campaign. Alonso is understood to have set his sights on Tah and Grimaldo, two players who thrived in his 3-4-3 system at the German side.
Tah is out of contract in the summer and available as a free agent. The 29-year-old has held talks with Barcelona, while Bayern Munich and Manchester United are also keen on the centre-back. Tah said last week that he will soon make a decision on his future.
Jonathan Tah! 🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/anAV69PXyl
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 11, 2025
Grimaldo is also a player Alonso wants to bring to Spain, according to El Nacional. The 29-year-old, who came through the academy at Barcelona but never made a first-team appearance, has excelled since joining Leverkusen in 2023.
He scored 10 goals and created 13 more from wing-back as Leverkusen won a maiden Bundesliga title without losing a game in 2023/24.
The Spaniard, who has 10 international caps, has added a further seven Bundesliga assists this season. He is viewed as the ideal option to attacking impetus from left wing-back, with Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia having combined for just three La Liga assists for Real Madrid in 2024/25.
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