Xabi Alonso already has Dani Ceballos’ Real Madrid replacement in mind | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has already earmarked the player whom he feels is ready to make the step up to replace Dani Ceballos in his squad.

That’s according to Spanish football insider Matteo Moretto, who points towards Thiago Pitarch as the player in question.

The name of midfielder Ceballos has of course emerged as an altogether prominent one in the headlines in Spain’s capital across the day to date.

This comes after word was forthcoming that Real Madrid have opened talks with French outfit Olympique Marseille, over a potential deal for the former Arsenal man.

All three parties are now understood to be actively working to find an agreement on the terms of a transfer.

And as alluded to above, in the case of an accord ultimately being struck, Xabi Alonso already appears to have identified the ideal successor to Ceballos in his setup.

As per a report from Matteo Moretto, writing for Marca:

‘Alonso has shown confidence in Real Madrid Castilla, specifically in Thiago Pitarch. One of La Fábrica’s gems, Pitarch renewed his contract a few weeks ago and is being touted as Ceballos’ replacement.’

Pitarch, of course, has taken his place on the bench for both of Los Blancos’ La Liga fixtures thus far this season, after exploding onto the first-team stage fresh off his 18th birthday in pre-season.

Conor Laird – GSFN