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FIRST TEAM

José Félix Díaz drops the bomb, there will be a signing and it's already known: 'At any moment'

The veteran Spanish journalist points to the next target of the white leadership

In the Valdebebas offices, they're keeping a close eye on the first team's performance in the Club World Cup. Xabi Alonso's players are moving within the expectations set by the Merengue board of directors. This isn't the only matter that the members of the club's leadership must address.

The information handled by José Félix Díaz indicates that Real Madrid doesn't consider the 2025 summer transfer window closed. In this regard, the journalist from MARCA points to the signing of a midfielder as the next priority transfer for the executives led by Florentino Pérez.

Soccer player in a red Stuttgart uniform on the field with hands on hips
Angelo Stiller with a serious expression during a match for Stuttgart (Germany) | Real Madrid Confidencial

The scouts led by Juni Calafat  "are looking for midfielders, I know that. We'll see if someone comes up who fits both Xabi Alonso's interest and, above all, the financial aspect", warns José Félix Díaz. Therefore, signing another midfielder in the summer of 2025 would depend on two conditions that are difficult to meet at the same time.

Doubts about Rodrygo Goes's future could well pave the way for the arrival José Félix Díaz is talking about. "It's going to make a big difference if he leaves, mainly because Real Madrid would bring in a lot of money" for a deal currently close to €80 million.

It's the priority

The list of potential signings would also have changed radically in recent weeks: "Stiller stopped being mentioned, just as Zubimendi appeared and disappeared because they were late" to prevent his signing this summer. The Basque midfielder is about to become a new Arsenal player, a club that always had the lead in the race for his signing.

Xabi Alonso's tactical arrangements raise doubts for José Félix Díaz, not only because of the positioning of footballers like Arda Güler and Fede Valverde... but also because of the continuity that this tactical scheme might have during the 25/26 season. "These are things they're adjusting right now," the journalist from MARCA points out.

Smiling young player in a blue uniform holds a golden trophy and a green medal in a stadium
Kees Smit posing with individual trophies in a match with the Netherlands | Real Madrid Confidencial

The hypothetical signing of Kees Smit, as well as the signing of Angelo Stiller, isn't underway in the Valdebebas offices. "They've denied it to me from Real Madrid, they like him but haven't done anything" to secure the football services of the young Dutch talent.

So much so that his sources at the club "tell me to forget it, that they're not going after Smit", concludes José Félix Díaz. Real Madrid would be prioritizing the search for a midfielder to strengthen the midfield, a task that's more complicated than it seemed at first.

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