career at the Bundesliga champions after losing
his starting berth at Madrid and will undergo a
medical imminently
Bayern Munich have announced they are on the
verge of completing a deal with Real Madrid for
the transfer of Xabi Alonso, with the former Spain
international travelling to Germany on Thursday
to undergo his medical.
The Bundesliga champions were keen to add an
extra midfielder to their squad due to the ongoing
injury problems of players such as Javi Martinez,
Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara and
they see the 32-year-old Alonso as a valuable
addition.
The club were linked with a bid for Athletic
Bilbao's Ander Iturraspe this week but have now
confirmed it is Alonso who is poised to move to
the Allianz Arena, subject to a medical.
"It is correct that we have been in talks with Real
Madrid and Xabi Alonso," Bayern executive board
member Jan-Christian Dreesen said at a press
conference.
"We have basically reached an agreement. The
player will arrive in Munich later on Thursday to
undergo his medical."
Alonso signed a new contract with Real Madrid
until the summer of 2016 earlier this year, but has
lost his starting berth at the Santiago Bernabeu
side this term as Carlo Ancelotti favours new
signing Toni Kroos alongside Luka Modric and
James Rodriguez in a three-man midfield.
The midfielder, who announced his decision to
retire from Spain duty earlier this week, started
his professional career with Real Sociedad and
also played for Eibar and Liverpool before joining
Madrid in the summer of 2009.
He had since made over 200 official appearances
in all competitions for the Bernabeu outfit, but
will now continue his career at Bayern.
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