Xabi Alonso: Real Madrid set ideal timeframe for appointment | OneFootball

Real Madrid are ready to accelerate their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, a report has revealed, with the recently dethroned Champions League holders hoping to appoint a new boss before this summer's Club World Cup.

It emerged in the aftermath of Madrid's Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal that current boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave the club later this month, with the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona potentially his final game in charge.

Alonso has long been viewed as Madrid's dream replacement for Ancelotti and The Times report that the 15-time Champions League winners are ready to ramp up their push to hire their former midfielder this summer.

Madrid's dream would be to have Alonso installed as their new manager by the time the Club World Cup starts in June, although they would have to reach an agreement with Leverkusen as he remains under contract until 2026.

Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes has publicly insisted Alonso will not leave the club this summer, but there is believed to be an agreement between the two parties that Alonso can leave if a suitor offers a significant compensation fee.

Alonso is not the only manager under consideration at Madrid as reports have named former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as a possible option, with the German understood to be open to negotiations.

MARCA add those in charge at the Bernabeu are exploring all their managerial options and could look to put an interim manager in place for the Club World Cup while negotiations over Alonso, or another candidate, continue behind the scenes.

Much could depend on Alonso's personal stance. While he is thought to be open to a new challenge this summer, he may be reluctant to accept the Club World Cup as his first test with a tired, under-pressure squad.