New Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso will be given a bumper transfer budget to spend this summer.
The former midfielder returned to the Spanish capital at the end of the 2024/25 domestic season as an instant replacement for his old boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso's brief is clear - get Real Madrid back in position to challenge for the La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles - on the back of four El Clasico defeats to Barcelona in 2024/25.
Spain international Dean Huijsen has already landed in Madrid, in a deal agreed with Bournemouth before Alonso's arrival, and the club are closing in on a long-standing push for Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Club president Florentino Perez is keen to secure at least one big-name signing despite the wider move away from galactico transfers in Madrid.
Reports from Spanish outlet Diario AS indicate Perez now wants to challenge Liverpool in the race for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz - despite the Germany international looking destined for Anfield.
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Can Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Wirtz race?
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have effectively admitted defeat in their pursuit of Wirtz which looks to have left the door wide open for Arne Slot.
However, Wirtz's super stats from 2024/25 - including 16 goals and 13 assists across all competitions - means Leverkusen are confident of securing £100m [$135m] as part of an upfront fee with a further £25m [$34m] in performance-related add-ons split across his contract.
That fee falls within Perez's budget, if Real Madrid chose to pursue a deal, and the Spanish giants are confident Alonso can play a key role in turning the tide in their favour.
Alonso worked closely with Wirtz during their time together at Leverkusen - as a key support in his recovery from an ACL tear in 2022 - and the 22-year-old has previously credited Alonso as a major career influence.
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