With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos stepping away, the club must rebuild the core that once controlled the tempo of both domestic and European matches.
Alonso, a midfield architect in his playing days, understands this more than most. His mission is clear – modernise Real Madrid’s engine room without compromising on identity. It might not happen overnight but the Premier League has become a key scouting ground in the process for when it happens.
Real exploring Premier League options
Behind the scenes, there is a strong sense of evolution at Valdebebas. Alonso wants technical players who can control possession, switch tempo and offer tactical versatility.
The current group – Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga – has dynamism and depth, but questions remain over who will consistently dictate games. Arda Guler is developing well, but Madrid will not stand still. They want options.
This is where we see a shortlist of Premier League-based targets developing, including Alexis Mac Allister, Rodri, Enzo Fernandez, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo.
These are not speculative names. Exploratory talks have already started around the evaluations.
Mac Allister is viewed as a sure thing in terms of being able to succeed in the setup. At Liverpool, he has shown how to manage a game, with great intelligence on the ball and a capability to transition between attacking and defensive duties.
His comfort between the lines fits Alonso’s blueprint very well. Madrid like his mentality and feel he would complement Bellingham and Valverde as part of a balanced, fluid trio.
Rodri is considered the dream signing. A Ballon d’Or winner and the cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning Manchester City side, he combines composure with steel.
In Alonso’s mind, it is thought he represents the gold standard of midfield control. Yet there is an added layer of intrigue here. Rodri’s success has not always been fully acknowledged in Madrid – as they boycotted his Ballon d’Or success in support of their own player, Vinicius Junior. As a side note, he came through the Atletico Madrid academy, too.
There is a sense inside the Bernabeu that the club missed a trick by not pursuing him earlier, but bringing him in now would be a way of correcting past oversights.
Signing him would require significant investment and delicate negotiation, but if Madrid want to send a message about the direction of this new era, Rodri is the statement.
Who else could make the move?
Enzo Fernandez offers energy and aggression. His World Cup-winning pedigree and adaptability in a turbulent Chelsea side has impressed scouts.
Chelsea do not want to let him go, but Madrid believe he could be shaped into a midfield lynchpin, if there were a sense Chelsea might eventually listen.
Wharton and Mainoo, meanwhile, are seen as long-term projects. Both are mature beyond their years and technically sound, with the ability to play under pressure.
They are seen as foundational pieces for the next generation, so continue to be monitored.
All these deals seem very difficult in the current window, but Madrid are willing to wait if they can not force something into life now.
The midfield remains a priority, and as Alonso’s first full season begins, his fingerprints are starting to appear across this team.
The future of Real Madrid’s midfield is being planned… and it may well be shaped in England.
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