Xabi Alonso 'signs' another right back, details revealed

Real Madrid has made notable changes to the first team during the summer of 2025. The arrival of Xabi Alonso as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti prompted these moves from the Valdebebas offices, providing the Tolosa manager with a completely renewed defense. 

However, the three signings made in this regard are not the only ones the Merengue coach has accepted to keep a reasonable number of players during the current soccer season. Real Madrid was prepared to let one of its best right backs leave.

The Basque coach, upon learning of this operation in progress, intervened directly and personally to stop all negotiations. The name Jesús Fortea is not unknown in the Valdebebas offices, as well as in other levels of the Madridist hierarchy. Not for nothing did the now-white player arrive at La Fábrica from Atlético de Madrid's youth academy.

His progress in the youth ranks seemed to stall in Álvaro Arbeloa's Juvenil A, a situation that did not please the player represented by Jorge Mendes. Fortea requested the "promotion" to Real Madrid Castilla as a countermeasure to accept his contract renewal, an agreement the white executives accepted given his excellent footballing talent.

Express request

His 24/25 campaign has certainly been positive, but not memorable. Despite everything, the reports handled by the sporting management show that Jesús Fortea could be a candidate to occupy the right back position in the first team in the near future. That's why the white club was about to confirm his departure to AC Milan, following a formula it has applied with players like Fran García or Nico Paz.

This operation was interrupted by Xabi Alonso. Negotiations were halted when the first team coach became aware of them, immediately including Jesús Fortea among the white players at his full disposal.

Since then, the Merengue "41" awaits his opportunity after a renewal also facilitated by Xabi Alonso. The competition at right back, led by Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, makes it very difficult for Jesús Fortea to get quality minutes. At least during the early stages of the current soccer season, when rotations are not so necessary.

Xabi Alonso himself, however, warned that these team changes are closer than they seem. The Champions League kicks off next September 16 and the coaching staff intends to keep the physical condition of its starters for the final stretch of the season. Players like the recently renewed Fortea would be key in this regard.