Real Madrid looks at the Premier League while thinking about the reform of their midfield for a new era under Xabi Alonso.
With Luka Modric and Toni Kroos who step away, the club has to rebuild the core that once controlled the pace of both domestic and European competitions.
Alonso, a midfield architect in his match days, understands this more than most. His mission is clear – modernize the Real Madrid engine room without endangering identity. It may not happen from one day to the next, but the Premier League has become an important ground for reconnaissance in the process for when it happens.
Real Exploring Premier League options
Behind the scenes there is a strong sense of evolution in Valdebebas. Alonso wants technical players who can control the possession, can switch the pace and offer tactical versatility.
The current group – Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga – has dynamics and depth, but there are still questions about those who will consistently dictate games. Arda Guler is developing well, but Madrid will not stand still. They want options.
Here we see a shortlist of Premier League-based goals that are developing, including Alexis Mac Allister, Rodri, Enzo Fernandez, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo.
These are not speculative names. Exploratory conversations have already started around the evaluations.
Mac Allister is considered a certain to succeed in the setup. In Liverpool he has shown how to manage a game, with great intelligence on the ball and a power to switch between attacking and defensive tasks.
His comfort between the lines fits very well with the blueprint of Alonso. Madrid loves his mentality and the feeling that he would supplement Bellingham and Valverde as part of a balanced, fluent trio.
Rodri is considered the dream experience. A balloon d'Or winner and the cornerstone of Pep Guardiola's Treble-winning side of Manchester City, he combines calmly with steel.
In Alonso's spirit it is thought that he represents the gold standard of midfield control. Yet there is an added intrigue layer here. Rodri's success is not always completely recognized in Madrid – while they have his balloon d'Or success to support their own player, Vinicius Junior. As a caveat he also came through the Atletico Madrid Academy.
There is a feeling in the Bernabeu that the club missed a trick by not having to chase him before, but now bringing him in would be a way to correct past supervision.
Signing him would require significant investments and delicate negotiations, but if Madrid wants to send a message about the direction of this new era, Rodri is the statement.
Who else can make the move?
Enzo Fernandez offers energy and aggression. His World Cup winning pedigree and adaptability in a turbulent Chelsea side is impressed by scouts.
Chelsea does not want him to go, but Madrid believes that he can be formed in a lynchpin in midfield, if there was a feeling that Chelsea could eventually listen.
Wharton and Mainoo are now seen as long -term projects. Both are adults beyond their years and technically healthy, with the possibility to play under pressure.
Enzo Fernandez-Adam Wharton Head-to-Headopta by Statspleform / AFP
They are seen as fundamental pieces for the next generation, so stay monitored.
All these deals seem very difficult in the current window, but Madrid is willing to wait if they cannot force anything in life now.
Midfield remains a priority and while Alonso's first full season starts, his fingerprints are starting to appear in this team.
The future of the midfield of Real Madrid is planned … and it can be formed very well in England.