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LaLiga giants Real Madrid have reportedly made their stance clear on potentially signing Liverpool ace Virgil van Dijk amid recent rumors linking the two parties. They are not interested in signing the Dutchman.
The veteran defender joined the Reds from Southampton in 2018 for a reported transfer fee of €84.65 million (via Transfermarkt). Van Dijk has been one of the mainstays in the Liverpool backline throughout his stay at the club.
In 292 games across competitions, the 33-year-old has scored 25 goals and laid out 13 assists. He has also won a barrage of personal and collective accolades with the Reds. These include the UEFA Best Player in Europe award, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League title, the English FA Cup, and many others.
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However, the Dutch defender's current contract will expire at the end of this season and Liverpool haven't finalized an extension yet. This situation has incited rumors of several clubs being interested in signing Van Dijk, including Los Blancos. As per the latest report from journalist Jose Felix Diaz (via @MadridXtra on X), Real Madrid are not interested in signing Virgil van Dijk.
At present, Real Madrid's backline consists of Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Jesus Vallejo, and Raul Asencio. Among them, two mainstays, i.e., Eder Militao and David Alaba are sidelined due to longstanding injuries while Vallejo is out of favor under Carlo Ancelotti.
Xabi Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager next season: Reports
According to a report by Fichajes.net, Real Madrid have chosen Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's successor at the club next season. The 43-year-old Spanish tactician has transformed the fortunes of German outfit Bayer Leverkusen since taking charge of the club in 2022.
In the 2023-24 season, Die Werkself claimed the first Bundesliga title in their 120-year history under Alonso's tutelage. In 34 league games, the club had scored 90 points without losing a single game. Alonso also helped the team win the DFB-Pokal and reach the final of the UEFA Europa League, where they were outdone by Atalanta.
Curiously, it was the team's first and the only defeat in the entire season. They have won 77 out of 115 games so far under Alonso, maintaining a whopping 66.96% win ratio.
The Spaniard's achievements with Leverkusen have seemingly convinced the higher-ups at Los Blancos, who are looking for a replacement for Ancelotti. The Italian tactician recently became Real Madrid's most successful manager after winning his record 15th title for the club.
At present, Real Madrid are second in the LaLiga table with 40 points in 18 games - one point behind league leaders Atletico Madrid. However, they are groveling at the 20th position in the UEFA Champions League table with just nine points in six games.
