Carlo Ancelotti Successor: Real Madrid confident of landing Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen

Real Madrid are hoping to secure a Carlo Ancelotti successor sooner rather than later. To this tune, the club have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso as their primary target to take over from the Italian.

Alonso recently committed another year to the Bundesliga frontrunners, citing his need to complete a project that he has started. However, Los Blancos are known to be a persuasive institution and are unlikely to budge without a proper effort.

Carlo Ancelotti Successor: Timeline of when Xabi Alonso could join

Being a former Real Madrid player, Xabi Alonso’s decision to extend his stay at Bayer Leverkusen has gone down well since the club understands his need to develop in his current role. Los Blancos are prepared to wait another year given that Alonso will have more valuable experience under his belt in that time.

Leverkusen are currently comfortably ahead in the Bundesliga with a 13-point lead over Bayern Munich in second place. They have also made it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they will face Premier League side West Ham United over two legs. All this is even more remarkable considering Xabi Alonso’s men are unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Should they continue in this same manner and win silverware, it will only strengthen the Spaniard’s case to become a possible Carlo Ancelotti successor.

Real Madrid’s season so far

Real Madrid have done fairly well this season and are the runaway leaders in La Liga with 75 points from 30 games. With eight matchdays left, they have a nearly unassailable 8-point lead over Barcelona in second place and a 10-point cushion over Girona in third.

Jude Bellingham has been one of the top performers for the club, netting 20 goals and providing 10 assists in 32 appearances across competitions. Vinicius Junior, too, has not been far behind with 18 goals and eight assists in 28 appearances.

While La Liga seems like a certainty, Real Madrid are also competing in the Champions League and will face Manchester City in the quarter-finals next week. Having lost against them in the semis last season, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will look to exact revenge on the defending champions.

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