Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso as heir to Carlo Ancelotti, Manchester City eye £85m Josko Gvardiol deal - Paper Round

The heir to Ancelotti's throne Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is willing to stick with Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout for one more campaign, despite Los Blancos' embarrassing 4-0 defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final second leg. The Spanish club have considered alternatives in Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane, but believe neither would be realistic options to replace Ancelotti this summer.

Ad Perez believes there is a «lack of serious alternatives» this summer and is eyeing up a move for Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso next year, after the former Real Madrid midfielder stated he would be staying with the Bundesliga club for the 2023-24 campaign. TransfersPSG eye Odegaard as potential Messi replacement — Paper RoundYESTERDAY AT 22:16 The Mail reveals: «Real Madrid have two young coaches working in the club’s youth system but Perez is not convinced B-team coach Raul is the right choice and under-18s coach Alvaro Arbeloa needs to be promoted before he gets the big job.

»There are two managers from Madrid’s recent past that might be options. But Jose Mourinho is wanted by Paris Saint Germain and would split opinion if he arrived.

And Zinedine Zidane prefers the idea of taking charge of the French national team over a third return to the club he has already left twice as a coach. «If Perez lets Ancelotti see out his contract it gives him one more year to persuade Alonso, and he could also give Arbeloa the number two position priming him as another candidate for the top job.» Man City eye £85m Gvardiol deal Manchester City are lining up an £85 million move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.