Jorge Valdano regrets a failed Real Madrid signing: 'It was very tempting'

Real Madrid's activity during the 2025 summer transfer window was aimed at filling all the positions most worn down by injuries in recent seasons. That's why the executives led by Florentino Pérez have especially focused on the defense, adding a right-back, a left-back, and a center-back.

At Xabi Alonso's request, closely following the "case" of one of his main long-term targets, Real Madrid have also secured the services of Mastantuono. The Argentine attacking midfielder is a welcome addition to the merengue midfield, which suffers from a notable lack of creative midfielders. Xabi Alonso is not unaware of this situation.

His request to bring in a player who fit that profile, especially if he could offer his defensive strengths to the team, hasn't triggered any reaction in the Valdebebas offices. Not even when the footballer the Tolosa coach had actively requested was available in the current summer transfer window.

JorgeValdano has referred precisely to that demanded player by the new Real Madrid coach. In one of his latest public appearances, the former sporting director of the merengue squad has made it clear that the squad is completely closed, as stated by the club's top brass.

It seemed essential

"I don't see Real Madrid signing another midfielder", says Jorge Valdano. Far from a possible refusal by the merengue leaders to make a last-minute move during the final days of the summer window, it's a matter of opportunities. After all, "the market doesn't offer much" at this stage.

The signing of Martín Zubimendi was the ideal solution that Xabi Alonso had proposed to the Madridist leaders for the current midfield dilemma. The "4" from Real Sociedad hadn't yet sealed his move to Arsenal, so there was time to intervene in the operation at the last minute and secure the transfer.

Jorge Valdano shares Xabi Alonso's opinion regarding the new "37" gunner: "the truth is, it was very tempting". Not only because of the ideal fit he would have had in Santiago Bernabéu locker room, immediately earning a starting spot to cover the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Also because Real Madrid would have expanded its roster of Spanish footballers, another long-term goal of the merengue sporting management.

The failure to sign Martín Zubimendi, a signing that Real Madrid never had on its list of future prospects, means that Xabi Alonso trusts players like Arda Güler. That was precisely the goal of the club's top brass: to strengthen the new generation already established in the first team instead of investing more money in signings of a similar profile.