'Not the time to discuss future' - Alonso on Real Madrid links

Xabi Alonso says it is "not a bully time" to talk his early aft nan Bayer Leverkusen leader was linked pinch Real Madrid.

The 43-year-old is reportedly a campaigner to win Carlo Ancelotti should nan Italian time off Real astatine nan extremity of nan season.

Alonso is highly regarded aft starring Leverkusen to nan Double of a Bundesliga title without losing a game, and nan German Cup successful his first afloat play arsenic a elder nine head past year.

"It's not a bully clip to talk nan future. We're astatine a very important infinitesimal successful nan season," said Alonso, whose Leverkusen broadside are six points down Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich pinch 5 games left.

"I don't want to talk astir speculation and rumours. [I understand] that this is happening, but what's much important to maine is what's happening correct now."

Leverkusen main executive Fernando Carro said past week that Alonso was "comfortable" astatine nan nine and already readying for adjacent season.

Alonso was linked pinch Real, Liverpool and Bayern Munich past year, but told a news convention successful March he wanted to enactment astatine Leverkusen pursuing talks pinch nan club's hierarchy.

The erstwhile Liverpool and Spain midfielder won La Liga and nan Champions League during a six-season spell arsenic a Madrid subordinate betwixt 2009 and 2014.

Alonso retired arsenic a subordinate pursuing a three-year spell astatine Bayern Munich successful 2017.

He moved into coaching pinch Real Madrid's Under-14 broadside nan pursuing year, earlier 3 years successful complaint of Real Sociedad's B team.

In October 2022, Leverkusen gave him his first managerial domiciled successful first-team shot and, having taken complete pinch nan nine 2nd from bottommost successful nan Bundesliga, led them to a sixth-placed finish.

Last play he guided Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title and nan German Cup successful awesome fashion. They besides reached nan Europa League last but mislaid 3-0 to Atalanta - their only conclusion successful 53 games successful each competitions.