Real Madrid’s winter window could be the turning point to unlock Xabi Alonso’s midfield ambitions with smart, strategic signings.
Numbers suggest Xabi Alonso has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Real Madrid. His team have won 13 of their 16 games across competitions and have only suffered two defeats so far. They sit top of La Liga and seventh in the Champions League.
While Los Blancos won El Clasico and look set to challenge for all major titles, there are still a few evident issues within the team. They have not been as convincing as expected. Their performances against Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano in the league, as well as Juventus and Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, have highlighted several concerns.
Much of it stems from how Real Madrid use possession under their new boss. While the individual brilliance of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler and others often helps them secure positive results, something still feels missing, and it could force the club to look to the winter window to add more quality.
Alonso’s plea for quality in midfield
The midfield could be the focus for the team in white as Xabi Alonso has been quite vocal about having more quality in the centre of the park since taking charge at the club. Given how much they had spent in the summer, Los Blancos were not willing to make another big splash, and they decided to trust the players they already had.
While the majority of them have done a great job, Alonso certainly seems short on quality. He would love to have another creative and a defensive midfielder in his squad. They certainly won’t be making a move to sign an attack-minded midfielder in the upcoming transfer window, as Nico Paz is set to arrive at the club next summer.
The Spanish midfielder has been doing wonders at Como, and he has attracted a lot of interest from across Europe. Real Madrid have a bargain buy-back clause in his contract, and if reports are to be believed, they have already decided to bring him back next summer.
The hunt for Real Madrid’s next midfield anchor
As a result, the team in white could focus entirely on signing a new holding midfielder in the summer. While they could simply target a traditional defensive midfielder, Real Madrid might also look at a central midfielder who offers a strong defensive base and excels at controlling the tempo and distributing the ball.
They want someone who can rival Aurelien Tchouameni for a place in the starting XI or even start alongside him in a double pivot. In the recent past, they have been linked with midfielders like Enzo Fernandez, Vitinha, and Rodri. The trio are among the best midfielders in the world, and each of them would significantly strengthen Real Madrid’s midfield.
While Rodri is an out-and-out defensive midfielder, Fernandez is more of an all-rounder, and Vitinha is someone who thrives on the ball and excels at controlling the tempo of the game. The Merengues would love to have any of them in their squad, but signing them mid-season is simply not realistic.
PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City will not part ways with one of their most important players halfway through the campaign, regardless of the money Real Madrid put on the table. Even the Spanish giants may not be willing to break the bank in January. As a result, here are three more realistic options Los Blancos could target in the winter window.
Adam Wharton
Adam Wharton has not looked back since joining Crystal Palace at the start of 2024. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder has made quite a name for himself with his impressive performances in the Premier League, and he could immediately boost Real Madrid’s midfield.
The Englishman could be an ideal cover for Tchouameni, and his versatility suggests he could even feature in advanced roles when needed. Wharton seems to be a generational talent with his rare blend of composure, technical skill, and passing ability.
Not only is he exceptional defensively, but the English international can also help Xabi Alonso better control games, and he could become one of Real Madrid’s mainstays in the long run. He is an ideal fit for the Spanish manager’s possession-oriented approach.
While Crystal Palace will be reluctant to negotiate his departure mid-season, a significant financial offer could actually tempt them into selling him. However, Real Madrid will face stiff competition from several bigwigs, including Chelsea and Manchester United.
Kees Smit
Kees Smit has made quite a name for himself coming up the ranks at AZ Alkmaar. The 19-year-old Netherlands youth international has been a part of their first team since the summer of 2024, and he has already featured in 50 matches for their senior side.
The teenager prefers playing as a central midfielder, but he is very versatile as he can feature in a deeper role, as well as on the flanks when needed. Smit is known for his intelligent distribution and positional flexibility. He also has the profile of a midfield control, exactly what Xabi Alonso is looking for.
With European giants like Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Manchester United already keeping tabs on him, the winter window could be an opportunity for Real Madrid to get ahead of the competition. Given Smit’s recent rise, he could prove to be a valuable addition to their squad, and he will certainly be a lot cheaper than Wharton.
Chema Andres
Andres, who came up the ranks at Real Madrid, could be another interesting option for the team in white. Xabi Alonso was not certain about handing him regular minutes, and as a result, the club decided to offload him in the summer window.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has flourished since joining Stuttgart. Andres has featured in 12 matches and has even contributed to two goals. Given his impressive performances in Germany, Alonso could look to bring him back.
Not only is the Spaniard exceptional defensively, but he is also quite good at dictating play from a deeper role. More importantly, he has a strong physical presence and is a major aerial threat. He already knows the club inside out and could prove to be an ideal option to strengthen their midfield rotation.
While Los Blancos sanctioned a permanent departure in the summer, they do have two favourable buy-back clauses in his contract: €13.5 million in the summer of 2026 and €18 million in 2027. Although they do not have an option to bring him back in January, the team in white could certainly negotiate a reasonable fee with Stuttgart.