Xabi Alonso Doesn't Want Saliba, Demands Another Center-Back and Would Arrive at Half the Price

Real Madrid Remain Very alert to All Movements in This Summer's Transfer Market. Because the leaders led by Florentino Pérez have several signings pending for the next season, a circumstance that Xabi Alonso is very alert to now.

So much so that the coach from Tolosa, despite being excited about his possible arrival in Santiago Bernabéu locker room, has reportedly put multiple signing demands on the table. One of the most notable directly contradicts the will of the executives led by Florentino Pérez for one of the most highlighted positions.

But Xabi Alonso's approaches regarding the central defender dilemma have been more accepted than desired in the Valdebebas offices. While it is true that Real Madrid would be focused on signing William Saliba, the current Bayer Leverkusen coach proposes signing a less expensive footballer. The signing of Piero Hincapié is gaining strength again at Real Madrid.

Not only because of his contract conditions: the Bayer Leverkusen central defender could accompany Xabi Alonso to the Spanish capital for a transfer set at 40 million (40 millones). That figure is much more affordable for Santiago Bernabéu's coffers and represents a considerable reduction compared to the price to be paid for William Saliba.

Plausible Alternative

At the same time, Piero Hincapié is a footballer who would fit even more into the plans of the Madrid sports management. The Ecuadorian central defender retains the same virtues as Arsenal's '2', but adds a characteristic that Juni Calafat's scouts have sought with determination: the werkself defender is left-footed.

Taking as reference other central defenders like Dean Huijsen, whose main virtue is the excellent mastery of the left leg, Piero Hincapié seems like an interesting option. Not only because of that issue, which holds so much importance, but also because he would arrive with the endorsement of the new Madrid coach.

The Central Defender Debate at Real Madrid Won't Be Easy to Solve in the Coming Months. In addition to the options already consolidated in the list of potential signings in previous months, players like Piero Hincapié reappear to add more depth to Real Madrid's choice. Some even venture, the incorporation of two central defenders to address the defensive shortcomings shown by the first team this year.

That ideal future would arrive as long as the cost of both signings approached the transfer estimated for Piero Hincapié. Bayer Leverkusen's '3' has an affordable exit barrier for the merengue economy, not so other players like Saliba, Jorrel Hato, or Dean Huijsen.