Xabi Alonso doesn't close the transfer market with 3 days left: 'I don't want to get my fingers caught'

One of the most debated issues within Real Madrid is the possibility of adding new players before the end of the 2025 transfer window. That move seemed to be completely ruled out after the four signings made during June and July... despite the repeated requests from Xabi Alonso.

Those signings suggested by the Tolosa coach would be postponed to the summer of 2026, but the canceled departure of Dani Ceballos would have significantly changed the roadmap for the Madrid side. The words of the Basque coach, a day before facing Real Mallorca, are more than striking: "It's likely that the squad is complete, but I don't want to get my fingers caught".

Although Xabi Alonso points out that "it looks like yes" he can consider his group of players completely closed, the statement is not entirely categorical. That means the Madrid coach himself would have certain doubts about last-minute moves that could be devised in the Valdebebas offices.

The broad range of names that are still in the orbit of the Madrid squad with three days left before the window closes opens up multiple possibilities. The defense and midfield remain the priority positions to secure reinforcements, although most of the available options don't offer conditions that please the Madrid sporting management.

Uncertainty until the end

Xabi Alonso keeps his requests to the executives led by Florentino Pérez, presented shortly after the end of the Club World Cup, to complete Santiago Bernabéu locker room. The Madrid sporting management, however, would have decided to postpone all those suggested moves to 2026.

The turbulence recorded around Dani Ceballos, a move that was canceled a few days after it began, would keep the Madrid coaching staff on alert until the end of the month. The Madrid leadership, however, knowing that the Andalusian '19' will finally remain under the orders of the Basque coach, would have abandoned any further attempts.

One of the most striking has been the possible loan of Kobbie Mainoo. The Manchester United midfielder is one more in a respectable list of potential signings to provide the midfield with the profile Xabi Alonso is looking for: a creative player with a defensive edge. The alternative to the red devils footballer is a currently overpriced Adam Wharton: Crystal Palace is demanding €80 million for his contract.

"Always alert, we're going to wait", says Xabi Alonso regarding new signings in the last three days of the 2025 summer window. The squad is closed for almost all purposes, with four new signings secured weeks ago, intended to provide the balance the team lacked last season.