Xabi Alonso announces he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen with Real Madrid switch expected

Xabi Alonso has announced he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer ahead of an expected move to take over at Real Madrid.

Alonso, who won the Bundesliga and German Cup with Leverkusen last season, is tipped to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, with the Italian already confirming his departure at the end of the current campaign.

After two-and-a-half seasons in the Bundesliga which has seen him become one of Europe's most in-demand coaches, the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference ahead of their final home league game against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday that he will be moving on.

"This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach.

"Now is the right moment to announce it, because we have always had this good communication with the club."

While there has been no official confirmation, Alonso is set to seal a return to Real Madrid, who are set to be pipped to the LaLiga by Barcelona in 2024/25, this summer.

"This is a moment with mixed emotions. This is not a moment to talk too much and not to talk about the future."

The 43-year-old won everything during his time as a Los Blancos player between 2009 and 2014 and has for a while been seen as the man to replace the departing Ancelotti.

Alonso was linked with the post last season, as well as fellow former club Liverpool, but decided to stay put in Germany for another season.

The Reds opted for Arne Slot, who won the Premier League in his debut campaign, instead, clearing the way for Alonso to now head to Real.