Real Madrid sent Xabi Alonso warning as Serie A giants eye Carlo Ancelotti | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes has backed the club to retain the services of manager Xabi Alonso and another Real Madrid target, midfielder Florian Wirtz, beyond the end of this season.

Alonso emerged as a tentative target for Madrid last season as he inspired Leverkusen's unlikely title triumph, but their plan was always to land his signature in either 2025 or 2026, while reports have claimed Alonso could walk away from the club this summer in search of his next challenge.

Madrid are eyeing a double swoop which would bring both Alonso and Wirtz to Spain, but Rolfes has warned the La Liga side that Leverkusen are ready to put up a fight.

"Both of them are under contract here, and they're feeling very comfortable," Rolfes said.

"Xabi knows that he has a team around him that matches his ambition. And he feels he's the important part of what we're trying to do."

Alonso & Wirtz are both on Madrid's radar / Alexander Hassenstein/GettyImages

Much could hinge on the future of current Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian's contract expires in 2026 and he has publicly indicated a willingness to continue his career with Los Blancos, although the team's recent underwhelming form has sparked suggestions he could be relieved of his duties even before this summer arrives.

In the background, AS state Roma are ramping up their attempts to hire Ancelotti this summer. The Serie A side, where he spent eight years of his playing career, are said to have personally reached out to try and convince Ancelotti to return as manager.

Ancelotti has previously admitted he would "love" to coach Roma one day, but more recently has indicated a plan to retire whenever his spell with Madrid comes to a close.

"I have a great relationship with Roma, very good memories, but there is a long way to go from saying to doing," Ancelotti said in December. "At the moment, I am fine here and I am not thinking about my future. I still have a two-year contract, but contracts can be broken or extended."