A new report from Defensa Central suggests that Xabi Alonso, now settling into his first season as Real Madrid manager, has already identified the midfielder he believes can fill the enormous void left by Toni Kroos.
The name at the top of his list is Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha, a player Alonso reportedly sees as the ideal successor to the retired German playmaker.
It is evident that since Kroos stepped away from football, Real Madrid have been operating without a true orchestrator in the middle of the pitch.
Although the squad is filled with talent, no player fully replicates Kroos’ calm control, his passing range, or his influence in dictating the rhythm of a match.
According to those close to the situation, this gap has been a recurring concern behind the scenes.
Nobtaly, during the summer transfer window, Alonso made it clear to the Real Madrid hierarchy that he wanted a creative midfielder capable of controlling games from deep.
Names such as Martin Zubimendi were explored, although the board chose not to pursue any signing in that position, opting to rely on the existing group.
Alonso feels Vitinha can replace Kroos. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
Now, as the campaign moves closer to its midway point, it appears increasingly obvious that Alonso still feels the need for a conductor in the heart of his team.
Alonso’s first choice
As it turns out, this is where Vitinha becomes central to his plans.
Sources within the club have indicated that Alonso views the Portuguese midfielder as a dream signing, someone with the intelligence, technique, and tempo-setting ability to elevate Real Madrid’s midfield to another level.
The former Bayer Leverkusen manager has reportedly expressed this admiration on several occasions, reinforcing his belief that Vitinha could seamlessly slot into Kroos’ old role.
What remains unclear, however, is whether the rumoured €90 million release clause in Vitinha’s contract is actually valid.
If such a clause exists, it would be the only realistic route for Real Madrid to secure the player, given the famously strained relationship between the Spanish giants and Paris Saint-Germain.
Without that clause, negotiating directly with the French club could prove almost impossible.