Jurgen Klopp's first two Real Madrid signings revealed

Suraj Radia

14 Dec 2025 08:01 GMT
4 min read

Jurgen Klopp is already reported to have identified two signings Real Madrid would need to make if they are to convince the German to replace Xabi Alonso as their new manager.

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Alonso has come under increasing pressure after Madrid’s run of just two wins in their last eight matches and a negative result against Alaves on Sunday could see the Spaniard sacked after only six months in charge.

While some Los Blancos stars voiced their support for Alonso despite the loss to Manchester City in the Champions League this week, Real are reported to see Klopp as a potential replacement if they do make a managerial change, along with Zinedine Zidane and Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

And, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Klopp ‘is clear’ that he ‘urgently needs’ two signings in January if he is to take over, with Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai from former club Liverpool named as the ideal targets for the 58-year-old.

However, Real do not believe it is essential to sign a midfielder and centre-back in January, while they are aware that prizing two key players from Liverpool mid-season would not be realistic

While Konate is considered an option for when his contract expires in the summer, Szoboszlai would be a ‘practically impossible’ signing, having been Liverpool’s arguably standout performer in the first half of the season.

Alonso: Arbeloa could be Real Madrid manager

Alonso revealed that he believes Arbeloa could eventually manage Real but he insisted he had only spoken to his former Liverpool teammate about players in the Castilla squad and nothing more.

© IMAGO - Xabi Alonso has come under intense pressure at Real Madrid.

The under-fire boss also insisted that he was focused on the match against Alaves and was not thinking about his future in Madrid.

"I always tell you that for me, the most important thing is the team and the club,” Alonso added. "Tomorrow, we have a very important match because of the current situation, and we want to change our recent run of results. We have a demanding opponent in front of us. That's what's at stake tomorrow.

"I've been involved in football for quite a few years, and in Spanish football, I'm sure there have been more managerial dismissals at this stage in the past than this season.

"My impression is that football is demanding, and there have been periods with more managerial sackings by this point.

"I'll leave you with that to think about in the coming days. I already have enough on my plate, and I'm not going to take on any extra work."

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