Real Madrid will need to pay at least €10 million to secure managerial target’s services | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal has all but sealed Carlo Ancelotti’s fate, with a departure even before the end of the season seeming likely.

As such, the situation has prompted the search for his successor at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of next season.

Two of the most talked-about names are Xabi Alonso and Jurgen Klopp, with Santiago Solari being considered as a potential interim manager for the FIFA Club World Cup if Ancelotti does not continue, to help ease the transition to a new permanent head coach.

Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite within the club’s hierarchy. His impressive work at Bayer Leverkusen has caught the attention of Real Madrid’s leadership, and his popularity among the fans could inject fresh hope and excitement into the club.

Release clause in place

However, prising Alonso away from Bayer Leverkusen will not be easy.

According to German outlet BILD (h/t SPORT), there is a verbal agreement between the former midfielder and the Bundesliga club that allows him to leave before his contract expires in June 2026 – but only for a top-tier club and in exchange for compensation.

Set to move on. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

While BILD does not specify an exact figure, it does state that the amount is in the “two-digit millions” range. That means Real Madrid would have to pay at least €10 million to secure Alonso’s release.

Leverkusen were disappointed by Madrid’s elimination against Arsenal, knowing that the result could directly impact the future of their current manager, who is now the leading candidate to replace Ancelotti.

Last year, despite receiving offers from Bayern Munich and Liverpool, two of his former clubs, Alonso opted to stay with Leverkusen and extended his deal until 2026.

While the German club would welcome the financial boost from a transfer fee, their real concern lies in losing the central figure of their recent success.

Alonso has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity and is heavily involved in planning for next season. His departure would represent a major setback to their ongoing project.

As for Real Madrid, their former midfielder and club legend, it will take a sum to bring him back to the club and succeed Ancelotti.