Two players wearing Real Madrid uniforms appear in the foreground inside a stadium full of fans.
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Xabi Alonso stopped a sure signing this summer: Vinícius, K.O.

The star who is Vinicius Júnior's friend whose signing by Real Madrid was ruled out by Xabi Alonso

One of the best teams during last summer's transfer window was Real Madrid. By making the necessary signings, the club still kept its doors open until the last minute of the transfer window. According to Defensa Central, West Ham tried to take advantage of this by offering its player, Lucas Paquetá.

Through a loan with a purchase option, the Brazilian midfielder was put forward for the team. In addition to his great quality, the player has an excellent relationship with Vinicius Júnior. On more than one occasion, it has been possible to see how both players keep a great and beautiful friendship.

Despite this, Xabi Alonso rejected the opportunity to have Paquetá at Real Madrid. This was due to his profile, which is completely different from what the coach was looking for in the midfield. The Brazilian is a player who contributes much more to the attack, with an offensive style that is far from the organizing midfielder Xabi is looking for.

Real Madrid's rejection

At 28 years old, Lucas Paquetá is one of the most solid midfielders in the Premier League. Having been part of West Ham since 2022, the Brazilian is currently one of its best players. His ability to constantly contribute to the attack has helped him have very positive seasons both individually and collectively.

Soccer player with a beard and dark hair wearing the West Ham United uniform during a match
Lucas Paquetá | Goal.com

With a contract until 2027, the Brazilian has shown himself to be quite happy with his role at West Ham. Still, the club unexpectedly considered his departure last summer. The offer to Real Madrid was a surprise but also a great opportunity for Vinicius's great friend, with whom he trained at Flamengo.

However, Real Madrid made its plans clear after rejecting the opportunity to sign Paquetá. The club is only interested in signing another center-back and an organizing midfielder. After Paquetá's rejection, Dani Ceballos is expected to get minutes and cover the position Xabi Alonso requires for this season.

Real Madrid's plans

While no one questions Lucas Paquetá's quality, Real Madrid has once again shown how selective it is. Although the club always signs the best of the best, its operations are planned long before they are carried out. With a defined playing style and clear priorities, Paquetá simply has no place in the team.

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