Xabi Alonso identifies three key areas Real Madrid must strengthen this summer | OneFootball

Real Madrid announced Xabi Alonso’s squad travelling to the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup recently, and have included both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen in the same.

The two early signings of the summer, thus, will make their debut for the club this month and are even expected to be starters in the event.

Their presence serves as a massive boost to Real Madrid’s chances of winning the novel tournament.

The manager, however, refuses to stop there and is looking for further signings once the tournament ends.

Three demands

As relayed by Fichajes in a recent report, Alonso has asked for three more signings for his squad after the event next month. A left-back, a midfielder and a centre-forward are the three positions marked in red.

Xabi Alonso wants to strengthen three key areas. (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

Alvaro Carreras is the target for the defensive position and the club has been in talks with Benfica for a long time now but negotiations have been complicated as the Portuguese club demand a premium fee for the former Real Madrid player.

There is optimism to get the transfer over the line next month but the deal is still far from reaching a state of completion.

In midfield, Alonso wishes for a player who can not only provide stability in possession but can also dictate the flow of the game under pressure. The idea is to sign a player who can fill in Toni Kroos and Luka Modric’s roles in the team.

In attack, a ‘Joselu’ like signing is seen to be the need of the hour and the club eye Ante Budimir as one who can tick all the required boxes.

His experience, low salary demands and low transfer fee make him an ideal candidate.