Xabi Alonso On The Verge Of £5million Switch To Bayern Munich, Say Reports

It appears Xabi Alonso isn’t finished making news today.

Fresh from the announcement that he has retired from international competition, Alonso is reportedly on the verge of a £5 million move to Bayern Munich, according to stories emanating from Germany and Spain. Should the deal take place, speculation is the 32-year-old will sign a two-year contract with the Bundesliga champions.

Bayern Munich have been looking for a midfield replacement for Javi Martinez, after the 25-year-old suffered a long-term injury during the DFL-Supercup. Speculation is the German giants had been lining up a move from Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. But Pep Guardiola has apparently chosen to go with the veteran leadership of his Los Blancos teammate, Xabi Alonso.

Even though Alonso signed a two-year extension with the Spanish club in January (which would have seen his contact run until 2016), Real Madrid’s midfield has become overcrowded following the additions of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos this summer. Speculation is the club is comfortable with the idea of the 32-year-old midfielder leaving for Germany, considering Alonso’s age and the fact that the La Liga giants will recoup some money in the deal.

The Spanish television station La Sexta has reported that Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with the now-retired Spain international.

While the German publication BILD stated that Alonso has handed in a transfer request and is destined to leave the ten-time champions of Europe as early as Thursday.

Should the deal be finalized, Alonso will become Bayern’s second signing of the week, following Mehdi Benatia’s transfer from AS Roma.