Ever since Toni Kroos retired in 2024, there has been a hole in Real Madrid’s midfield, one Xabi Alonso is looking to fill.
Real Madrid broke the bank this summer to rebuild their backline, welcoming Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras to the Spanish capital. The La Liga runners-up also signed 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono as an attacking reinforcement for the 2025–26 season.
Despite the new additions, Los Blancos are still in crying need of a central midfielder. Without Kroos and now Luka Modrić, the biggest club in the world lacks a player capable of controlling a game from the middle of the park.
Should Real Madrid turn back to the transfer market to solve their lingering problem, there are four players who would seamlessly fit into Alonso’s new-look squad.






