Former coach warns Milan: ‘Alex Jimenez is the right profile for Real Madrid’ | OneFootball

Alex Jimenez’s former coach Julen Guerrero has warned that the young Spaniard is the ‘right profile’ for Real Madrid as they seek a long-term heir to Dani Carvajal in the Spanish capital.

Jimenez joined Milan from Madrid on an initial loan deal for the 2023-24 season, which became permanent at a cost of €5m at the end of that campaign. Madrid have an option to buy the 19-year-old back for a fee of €10m until the summer of 2026.

That means that Madrid effectively still have a say in Jimenez’s next move until that clause expires next summer.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are on the hunt for a new right-back, and while reports throughout the 2024-25 season claim that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will make the move to the Bernabeu, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Galacticos signing another player to compete later down the line.

Former coach warns Milan: ‘Alex Jimenez the right profile for Madrid’

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Guerrero, who coached Jimenez in the Spain national youth teams, explained: “I know that Real are looking for a right-back. I’ll be honest, for me, Alex is the right profile in terms of his style of play and characteristics.

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Rafael Leao and Alex Jimenez of AC Milan are pictured talking during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Verona at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 15, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“(He’s) fast, strong in both phases and has the right temperament despite still only being 19 years old. The future is fully on his side.”

Guerrero also believes that Jimenez has exactly what it takes to break into the Spain national team in the near future: “Jesus Navas has retired, Carvajal is injured, there would be space for him.

“But let’s not forget that Spain are the reigning European champions, so being a starter right now is not particularly easy. Alex has all the right qualities to get there, but it will also depend on the choices of the coach and his staff.”