Xabi Alonso announces he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen with Real Madrid switch expected
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Xabi Alonso has announced he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer ahead of an expected move to take over at Real Madrid.
Alonso, who won the Bundesliga and German Cup with Leverkusen last season, is tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, with the Italian already confirming his departure at the end of the current campaign.
After two-and-a-half seasons in the Bundesliga which has seen him become one of Europe's most in-demand coaches, the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference ahead of their final home league game against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday that he will be moving on.
"This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach.
"Now is the right moment to announce it, because we have always had this good communication with the club."
Alonso to depart, Real Madrid move expected
While there has been no official confirmation, Alonso is set to seal a return to Real Madrid, who are set to be pipped to the LaLiga by Barcelona in 2024/25, this summer.
"This is a moment with mixed emotions. This is not a moment to talk too much and not to talk about the future."
The 43-year-old won everything during his time as a Los Blancos player between 2009 and 2014 and has for a while been seen as the man to replace the departing Ancelotti.
Alonso was linked with the post last season, as well as fellow former club Liverpool, but decided to stay put in Germany for another season.
The Reds opted for Arne Slot, who won the Premier League in his debut campaign, instead, clearing the way for Alonso to now head to Real.
Transfer window odds: Wirtz, Tah set for moves
As well as Alonso, a number of players look set to depart Leverkusen, who are second in the Bundesliga, at the end of the season.
In his statement, Alonso even suggested that the farewell at the BayArena on Sunday could not only be for him, but a number of their players too.
"We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, myself. It was the right moment to announce it."
Florian Wirtz is poised for a move this summer, with the current odds suggesting the German playmaker is set to move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, but there is also a high chance he follows Alonso to Real Madrid.
Defender Jonathan Tah has also attracted plenty of interest, with the bookies currently backing him for a move to Barcelona over Liverpool.
Like Wirtz, Tah's chances of becoming one of Alonso's first signings at Real Madrid will surely now increase.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
