Bayern Munich is close to a two-year £8 million deal with Xabi Alonso.

Pep Guardiola turned his attention to Alonso after the departure of Toni Kroos and the knee-ligament injury suffered by Javi Martínez.

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted upon the importance of Alonso, but the Real Madrid boardroom has had differing optionions.

Alonso was one of four deep-lying central midfielders along with Kroos, Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira, while the arrival of James Rodríguez increased the number of midfielders further.