The four players Ancelotti pushed for at Real Madrid but never signed | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s 2024/25 season under Carlo Ancelotti has faced its fair share of setbacks, most notably in the form of injuries that have heavily impacted the team’s performance.

Despite these challenges, the club failed to make significant moves in the transfer market. Even in January, when Ancelotti openly expressed his concerns and requested reinforcements, the club remained inactive.

However, as reported by SPORT, Ancelotti was asked to weigh in on the areas where Real Madrid needed strengthening, and the names he suggested have raised eyebrows.

Defensive reinforcements: William Saliba and Manuel Akanji

Carlo Ancelotti wanted William Saliba. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

When it comes to defence, Ancelotti recommended two prominent names: William Saliba of Arsenal and Manuel Akanji from Manchester City.

Saliba, a key figure in Arsenal’s defence, had publicly expressed his commitment to staying with the Gunners, making any potential move difficult.

Akanji, on the other hand, offers a more affordable option with his market value hovering around €40 million.

The Swiss international, who signed a contract with Manchester City until 2027, has been a consistent performer for Pep Guardiola’s side. While his profile is slightly less high-profile than Saliba’s, he brings solid experience.

Midfield reinforcements: Alexis Mac Allister and Sandro Tonali

Ancelotti admires Alexis Mac Allister. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Moving to midfield, Ancelotti’s suggestions were more varied, with two players who have different playing styles.

The first name mentioned was Alexis Mac Allister, a player Ancelotti had previously recommended during his time at Brighton. However, the club felt that he did not fit the profile they needed.

The second midfielder Ancelotti suggested was Sandro Tonali of Newcastle. Ancelotti is a huge admirer of Tonali’s game and, having followed his progress since his days at AC Milan, believes the Italian would be an ideal replacement for Toni Kroos..

Despite these well-thought-out suggestions, none of these players ever came close to donning the famous white shirt of Real Madrid.