The arrival of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid’s new head coach has sparked significant changes within the squad this summer, reshaping the balance of the dressing room.
The club is now moving away from its heavy reliance on veteran legends and is instead prioritizing younger talents for the future. This shift has already resulted in the departures of Luka Modric and Lucas Vázquez, both of whom were long-standing figures at the Santiago Bernabéu.
This new approach is also affecting the status of other experienced players who are still with the team, most notably Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba.
While Rüdiger has been an important part of Real Madrid’s defense in recent years, Alaba has faced recurring injury problems that have disrupted his rhythm. Despite their contributions, the two defenders now face uncertain futures, as the club’s stance on older players has become increasingly clear.
According to a recent report from AS, Real Madrid have no intention of renewing the contracts of either Rüdiger or Alaba. Both players are currently in the final year of their deals, which means they are set to become free agents at the end of the upcoming season.
Although it remains unclear whether Los Blancos will actively try to sell them during this transfer window, indications suggest the club is more likely to allow them to see out their contracts.
In Alaba’s case, speculation about a potential exit has already surfaced earlier this summer. The Austrian international earns a substantial salary at Real Madrid, and his departure would free up significant financial space for the club to invest in new defensive reinforcements.
One of the main names on the club’s radar is Ibrahima Konaté, with the Frenchman emerging as a top target to bolster the backline.
However, finding buyers for Rüdiger and Alaba right now appears unlikely. Both defenders command high wages and have struggled with injury issues in recent years, which makes them less attractive options for potential suitors.
Given these circumstances, the most realistic outcome seems to be that they will remain at the club until their contracts expire in 2026.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid are already preparing for a major defensive rebuild. As mentioned, Konaté is a strong candidate, while the club has also recently shown interest in William Saliba. Reports even claim that an official proposal was made for the Arsenal star, though it was swiftly rejected by the Premier League side.
This makes it clear that Los Blancos are planning a significant overhaul at the back once the contracts of Rüdiger and Alaba come to an end, marking another step in Alonso’s long-term vision for the team.
