Xabi Alonso was desperate for Real Madrid to sign Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi last summer.

The former Liverpool star took over at the Bernabeu last May but his reign in charge lasted less than eight months, parting ways with Los Blancos on Monday in the wake of their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona.

He leaves the Spanish capital with Real sat second in La Liga, four points behind their arch-rivals with the best win percentage out of any previous head coaches at the club over the last decade.

Real made three additions to their defence during last summer’s transfer window with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras joining the club alongside highly-rated Argentine attacker Franco Mastantuono.

Alonso however was eager for the club to sign a midfielder in the mould of Toni Kroos, who retired from football in 2024 after a decade of excellence at the club.

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Alonso told...