Real Madrid reportedly have the upper hand in the race to sign a superstar winger who\u2019s been linked with Liverpool, while Xabi Alonso is set for an \u2018ultimate test\u2019 as he battles to save himself from the sack.<\/p>\n
Los Blancos have big plans for the coming transfer windows, but that is partly out of necessity, with the future of players such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo increasingly uncertain.<\/p>\n
The Saudi Pro League are prepared to offer Vini Jr stupid money to leave the Bernabeu, and it remains to be seen whether any concrete monster offers arrive for the Brazilian.<\/p>\n
But Madrid<\/a> are always on the lookout for top talents who can improve their squad, and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams has reportedly emerged as a target.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso\u2019s future at the club continues to hang in the balance, with a 3-2 win over third-tier side Talavera in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday doing little to rebuild confidence.<\/p>\n Reports suggest the Spaniard is still on the brink of the sack, as Madrid trail Barcelona in the LaLiga title race by four points, and struggle in the all-important Champions League.<\/p>\n Elite winger chooses Real Madrid over Liverpool<\/p>\n Williams<\/a>, 23, has emerged as one of Europe\u2019s most coveted wingers. He has notched 33 goals and 34 assists in 183 appearances for Athletic, and impressed for Spain at last year\u2019s European Championships.<\/p>\n And despite struggling with injuries this season, Williams\u2019 stock remains very high, and that has seen him linked with a host of top clubs recently.<\/p>\n Recent reports from Spain have named Arsenal and Liverpool are suitors for the wide man, while Barcelona\u2019s interest is well-documented.<\/p>\n Liverpool are said to view Williams as a potential replacement for Mo Salah, who could leave Anfield next summer due to a \u2018gentlemen\u2019s agreement.\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n However, it is said to be Madrid who hold the advantage in the race for Williams, as the reports suggest that he has his heart set on a move to the Bernabeu.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Despite strong interest from abroad, especially from the\u00a0Premier League, the player\u2019s desire is unequivocal,\u2019 the report reads.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Nico Williams wants to sign for\u00a0Real Madrid\u00a0and is willing to wait for the right moment for that opportunity to materialise\u2019.<\/p>\n Madrid are claimed to view Williams as a potential replacement for Vini Jr, who, as mentioned, is being linked with a potential Los Blancos exit.<\/p>\n Want more breaking transfer lines from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google <\/a>to your favourites list for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso faces \u2018ultimate test\u2019 to avoid sack<\/p>\n Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed the speculation that Madrid already have a replacement in mind for Alonso \u2013 Real Madrid Castilla manager Alvaro Arbeloa.<\/a><\/p>\n Following the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League, Alonso was given three games to save himself from the sack:\u00a0Alaves, Talavera and Sevilla. <\/p>\n Madrid scraped past Alaves with a 2-1 victory, and as mentioned, narrowly avoided an upset vs Talavera. But the clash against Sevilla on Saturday is a much tougher test.<\/p>\n With this in mind, Spanish outlet\u00a0Marca\u00a0reports that Alonso is still \u2018under surveillance\u2019, despite the recent wins.<\/a><\/p>\n The report has noted: \u2018The manager\u2019s credibility remains at rock bottom, and doubts persist within the club, not so much because of the specific results but because of a much more worrying reality: the team\u2019s performance isn\u2019t improving, and the feeling is that the sporting project is heading nowhere.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Saturday brings another test against Sevilla, after which a new period of reflection will begin in the boardroom.<\/p>\n \u2018The future doesn\u2019t look promising for Xabi Alonso<\/a> unless there\u2019s an immediate and decisive turnaround. If they pass the Sevilla test, the Spanish Super Cup appears to be the ultimate test.\u2019<\/p>\n Ex-Man Utd man shocked at star\u2019s Madrid success<\/p>\n One of the big positives for Madrid this season has been the performances of left-back Alvaro Carreras, whom they signed from Benfica over the summer.<\/p>\n Carreras is a product of Manchester United\u2019s academy, but the Red Devils chose to sell him to Benfica in 2024.<\/p>\n And now, former United star Phil Jones has admitted that he is surprised to see Carreras doing so well, after he struggled to make an impact during a loan with Preston North End in 2022\/23.<\/p>\n