Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has fuelled speculation linking him with a move away from the BayArena next summer amid concrete interest from Real Madrid.
The 43-year-old is one of the hottest commodities on the managerial market after his unprecedented success with Leverkusen last season.
He led Die Werkself to their first-ever Bundesliga triumph last season, smashing all records along the way.
His Leverkusen side became the first-ever team to go unbeaten en route to the league title in Bundesliga history and came agonisingly close to clinching an astonishing treble.
They also set a new European record, becoming the first team to go 51 games unbeaten run across all competitions before suffering a gut-wrenching 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Ademola Lookman put Leverkusen to the sword with a fantastic hat-trick, but their record-breaking campaign made Alonso a wanted man in the summer.
Alonso was seriously linked with a return to Anfield to replace Jurgen Klopp.
He also had interest from Bayern Munich and Madrid, but Leverkusen pulled out all the stops to ensure he stayed at the club for at least one more season.
Leverkusen have struggled to replicate last season’s success. They are third in the Bundesliga table and trail pacesetters Bayern by seven points.
However, the Spaniard remains a high-value target for clubs across Europe, especially Madrid, and his recent comments will strengthen their hopes of luring him to the Santiago Bernabeu next summer.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s crunch Champions League showdown against Italian Serie A holders Inter Milan, Alonso confirmed he is open to a new adventure abroad.
“I am not closing any doors, as far as the future is concerned,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference (via journalist Alfredo Pedulla).
“However, at the moment, my focus is entirely on Bayer Leverkusen.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s contract at Madrid runs until 2026, but the reigning La Liga and European champions could decide to move on from him, especially after an appalling Champions League title defence.
