Real Madrid weigh up Vitinha move as Alonso eyes midfield reinforcements

AS reported around seven months ago that Real Madrid had shown interest in Vitinha. While the club was monitoring the player’s performance at the time, there has been no official indication regarding the continuity or depth of that interest since then.

As Xabi Alonso prepares to officially take charge at the Santiago Bernabéu, the club’s technical staff have begun evaluating midfield options that align with the tactical framework he successfully applied at Bayer Leverkusen.

AS noted that Madrid’s initial interest in Vitinha stemmed from concerns around Toni Kroos’ physical decline and Luka Modrić’s reduced role. The club has since looked toward younger profiles capable of orchestrating midfield play in the coming cycle.

Vitinha’s rise: contribution, profile, and composure

In the 2024/25 season, Vitinha established himself as one of PSG’s most consistent performers. His composure and passing range were on full display during the Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal. While no official evaluations were published, his ability to control tempo under pressure was widely noted by analysts and commentators.

The Portuguese midfielder made 48 appearances across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 2 assists. Most of these contributions came while operating as the team’s primary playmaker, highlighting his ability to dictate the rhythm and structure of PSG’s midfield.

He registered 2 goals and 1 assist in the Champions League, and 5 goals and 1 assist in Ligue 1. His technical data underscores a complete midfield profile: 94.1% pass accuracy, 1.02 key passes per match, and a 67.7% dribble success rate.
Sources: footystats.org, uefa.com.

Vitinha’s calmness under pressure and ability to manage match tempo — both in possession and transition — have made him a player of interest among Europe’s top clubs.

Transfer roadblock: €130 million valuation

According to Defensa Central, Vitinha’s agent Jorge Mendes informed Real Madrid that PSG are demanding a fee in the region of €130 million.

As of now, neither AS nor MARCA — Spain’s most reliable football publications — have reported that Real Madrid are prepared to meet that valuation. There is no confirmed report on how the club intends to respond to PSG’s demands. In the absence of official guidance, it remains unclear whether Madrid will pursue Vitinha further or shift attention elsewhere.

Given PSG’s firm stance and the player’s strategic role within the squad, this transfer appears unlikely in the short term.

Alonso’s midfield vision

Xabi Alonso favours a midfield anchored in control, structured buildup, and spatial intelligence. According to UEFA technical observer reports, Bayer Leverkusen were among Europe’s best in central zone occupation and passing structure during the 2023/24 season.

His deployment of Florian Wirtz as a free central playmaker was emblematic of his philosophy — emphasising vertical progression, positional fluidity, and multi-phase responsibility in midfield roles.

The combination of Vitinha’s technical metrics and positional intelligence suggests a strong alignment with Alonso’s requirements. However, PSG’s valuation and the player’s importance to their current structure make a transfer highly improbable at this stage.

Real Madrid are still expected to pursue a central midfielder this summer. In line with Alonso’s tactical principles, the ideal candidate must offer balance, composure, and two-way reliability. While Vitinha remains a fitting profile, the club continues to assess alternative targets in the market.