Xabi Alonso wants to ‘steal’ a Barcelona transfer target for Real Madrid | OneFootball

Incoming Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has set his sights on the signature of a long-time transfer target on the part of Los Blancos’ arch rivals, Barcelona.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who point towards Jonathan Tah as the player in question.

Defender Tah’s future has of course long proven a headline talking point in the media. This comes ahead of the expiration of the German international’s Bayer Leverkusen contract in the summer.

Considered one of the standout stoppers in the Bundesliga, a number of clubs, in turn, have been credited with a keen interest in his services.

Chief among them have been the aforementioned Barcelona, who at one point were even said to have closed an agreement on the terms of a pre-contract with Tah’s entourage.

With official confirmation of as much yet to arrive, however, rival suitors have been allowed back into the fray.

And according to MD, owing in large part to the imminent arrival of Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso in the dugout in Spain’s capital, Real Madrid can now be considered a legitimate contender for Tah:

‘Many are trying to block Tah’s move to Barça. One of them is Xabi Alonso, who wants to take him to Real Madrid, where he will manage from June 30th. Madrid needs to strengthen its central defender base, and the Tolosa native wants to take Tah to his new team.’

Conor Laird – GSFN