COMPLETE Real Madrid XI overhaul with 3 Man Utd stars, Arsenal trio and 2 Liverpool gems

With the January transfer window approaching, Real Madrid are being linked with numerous Premier League players, including those from Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.

While some rumors are just rumors, there are others that are credible, such as Real Madrid’s interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven.

As the new year approaches, we’ve decided to put together a Real Madrid XI of Premier League players that Xabi Alonso is linked with.

It would be prudent to note that we are not saying that these transfers will take place; we’re just looking at how Madrid might line up if they decide to bring in all of these players as part of a complete squad overhaul, without their current stars featuring.

Senne Lammens (Manchester United) – Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, but he is now 33 and will eventually need to be replaced. Who else to replace the Belgian international in the Madrid team than his compatriot Senne Lammens?

Lammens joined Manchester United from Royal Antwerp in the summer of 2025 and established himself as the number one goalkeeper in Ruben Amorim’s side. The 23-year-old is a safe pair of hands between the sticks and can only get better.

In October, claims emerged in Real Madrid media that Lammens had questioned Courtois about life in the Spanish capital and “how Real Madrid works”.

Courtois even jokingly told Lammens, according to the report: “When I leave in a few years, I’ll leave you my locker in Madrid.”

Diogo Dalot (Manchester United) – Right-back

Our transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey reported on December 13 that Real Madrid are keen on Man Utd right-back Diogo Dalot.

Madrid signed Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool in the summer of 2025, but Dani Carvajal is now 33.

Los Blancos also find Dalot’s versatility appealing, with the Portugal international, still only 26, capable of playing on both the right and left flank.

Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – Central defender

Like Lammens, Harry Maguire has also been linked to Madrid by the Spanish press.

According to Central Defensea news outlet focused on Real Madrid, often speculative and whose information should be taken with a pinch of salt, Maguire was ‘offered’ to Madrid following Eder Militao’s injury.

However, a January move is unlikely, with sources telling us that Man Utd are considering signing Maguire to a new contract and extending his stay at Old Trafford.

Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur) – Central defender

Although Madrid may not be too keen on signing a 32-year-old, Los Blancos are definitely interested in Micky van de Ven.

David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are out of contract at Madrid at the end of the season. Both are in their 30s and have had injury problems. Eder Militao’s fitness is also a concern, while Raul Asensio has not always impressed.

Van de Ven is 24 and has room to improve, and his impressive performances for Tottenham Hotspur have sparked interest from Madrid, although Dean Jones told TEAMtal that “Spurs really don’t want to lose him” and “see his experience and leadership as absolutely vital”.

Jorrel Hato (Chelsea) – Left-back

Alvaro Carreras has established himself as Madrid’s first-choice left-back since leaving Benfica in the summer of 2025, but Alonso could benefit from more competition in that department.

Ferland Mendy is now 30, while Fran Garcia has a lot of work to do if he is to overtake Carreras in the team.

Although recruiting a new left back in 2026 is not a top priority for Los Blancos, especially with the emergence of Victor Valdepenas, given that this is Madrid we’re talking about, expect the unexpected from president Florentino Pérez.

Real Madrid had Jorrel Hato on their radar this summer, but they ultimately did not make an offer for him, with the 19-year-old eventually joining Chelsea from Ajax. Would it be outrageous to suggest that Los Blancos could turn their attention to the Netherlands international again next summer?

Declan Rice (Arsenal) – Central Midfield

We understand that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is considering handing Declan Rice a new contract, but if Madrid get what they want then they will bring the England international midfielder to the Estadio Bernabeu in a heartbeat.

The Spanish press sparked Real Madrid’s interest in Rice, with a report claiming that chief scout Juni Calafat was present at the Champions League match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich to watch him in action.

Rice is one of the best midfielders in the world, and there is no doubt that he would be an imposing figure in the middle of Los Blancos’ park and wow the Bernabeu faithful, just like his England international teammate Jude Bellingham.

Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) – Central midfielder

According to ESPN On June 4, Real Madrid were interested in Martin Zubimendi before he joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025.

Rumors have been circulating in the Spanish media that Alonso remains in favor of a Madrid move for Zubimendi, which is his “big desire”, although it will be “very difficult”, given that the Spanish international midfielder has established himself as one of the first names in the Arsenal squad and is going from strength to strength in the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) – Right winger

At 24, Bukayo Saka is already a veteran, the Arsenal and England international winger having been on our screens for years.

The English press, as well as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, are convinced that Saka will sign a new contract with Arsenal.

However, according to SheetsMadrid are preparing a €150 million bid to sign Saka from Arsenal.

Sheets isn’t one of the most reliable sources, so it’s one of the rumors that should be taken with more than a pinch of salt, but there’s no doubt that Saka has what it takes to play for Madrid.

Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool) – Central attacking midfielder

Our transfer correspondent, Dean Jones, has reported Real Madrid’s interest in a deal for Alexis Mac Allister in 2026.

The Argentina international is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders whose versatility would be a boon for Madrid.

Mac Allister, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, is capable of playing in a box-to-box role or in an advanced midfield position.

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) – Left winger

Xabi Alonso’s desire to sign Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid before joining Liverpool is well documented.

There have been suggestions in the Real Madrid media that Alonso has asked Los Blancos to keep an eye on Wirtz for a potential transfer in 2026.

Wirtz is at his best as a central attacking midfielder, but he is also capable of playing on the left, as he did on several occasions for Liverpool under Arne Slot.

Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – Forward

You’d be hard-pressed to find a Real Madrid fan who wouldn’t want Erling Haaland on their team.

Madrid were linked with the Norwegian international striker before he joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland has been a force to be reckoned with at Man City, with whom he won the Premier League and Champions League and scored 147 goals in 168 matches.

TEAMtalk understands that Real Madrid have ambitions to sign Haaland, but Man City do not want to sell the 25-year-old, who himself is not looking forward to swapping the Etihad Stadium for the Estadio Bernabeu any time soon.