Real Madrid eye two Bundesliga midfielders as Xabi Alonso prepares to take over | OneFootball

Marca reports that two Bundesliga stars may soon be following Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. The Spanish tabloid reports that Xabi may wish to take one of his Werkself regulars, Exequiel Palacios, to his new station. VfB Stuttgart midfielder is also apparently on Real’s list.

Palacios nearly moved to Real in 2019. The deal reportedly fell through after a failed medical. The now 34-times-capped Argentine international joined Germany’s red company team in January 2020 instead.

After five seasons spent representing Leverkusen, Palacios has pumped up his estimated market value from €22m to €40m. Palacios last extended his contract in September 2023. His current deal runs through 2028.

Those details likely make Palacios a much easier swoop for the La Liga club. Palacios is both affordable and overdue for a pay raise. Stiller, on the other hand, currently struggles with injury issues and is thought to have a complicated release clause in his current contract that doesn’t take effect until 2026.

Stuttgart reported a summer price tag for Stiller is no less than €60m. Real may nevertheless be willing to meet this after witnessing the German international turn in a strong performance at the Bernabeu in the Champions League this season.

GGFN | Peter Weis