Real Madrid Transfer News: 11-Year Old Mark Norris Trialled, Xabi Alonso Rumours

Real Madrid have offered a trial to 11-year-old Mark Norris from Northern Ireland and are also tracking the availability of former midfield maestro Xabi Alonso.

AS said Los Blancos originally spotted the youngster at a training camp in Japan and asked the central midfielder to try out for the club in the new year. The Linfield player has been offered the opportunity to attend Madrid's training centre next May, spending a week with the Galacticos as they run the rule over his potential. 

As reported by BBC News' Ross McKee, the youngster is an avid Manchester United fan, and Madrid advised his parents to have a video made of their son's skills and ability.

Norris' father told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster (h/t McKee) it was a "once-in-a-lifetime" chance for his young boy:

"

His mum is Japanese and he was at a Real Madrid summer camp in Japan a couple of years ago and that was the start of a few guys taking a wee note of him. 

To cut a long story short there is a guy Raul Valbuena who passed it (the video) on to another guy Alvaro Benito who is an ex-Real Madrid player, who has invited Mark over in May for a week to have a look at him.

Mark has been over at Real Madrid before in a tournament with Greenisland Football Club a couple of years ago at the training ground, so he will not be in awe.

He will be used to the surroundings, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

He is still only 11-years-old, he is only a kid, there are a lot of good footballers in Northern Ireland and he is so lucky.

People can think one guy has potential and one guy hasn't, it is up to Mark, if he wants to make it, he has to make it himself.

I will support him as a dad and help him to pursue his dream.

"

Norris' hero is Cristiano Ronaldo, because of his "skills" and "goals," but his father is a well-known United supporter who travels the world to support the team with his famed "Big Lily" flag, per McKee. The 11-year-old's father was clear what would happen if United also take an interest in his son, saying: "I'm a Manchester United fan so that answers that question."

Alonso Could Make Emotional Bernabeu Return

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Former Spain international Xabi Alonso could return to Madrid in the near future, but he also has the option of a second stint at Anfield with Liverpool.

Spanish news outlet Vozpopuli (h/t Talksport) reported both teams want to pick up the prospective free agent in the summer if he decides his time at Bayern Munich is over. 

Italian website Tuttomercato (h/t Goal.com) also said Reds manager Jurgen Klopp is considering an approach to tempt the player to make the move, in a transfer that would be hugely popular among Liverpool fans. 

VI-Images/Getty Images

The player recently spoke about his immediate future to Goal's Andreas Koenigl and said he is comfortable at Bayern but was unsure about his plans:

"At the moment I am focused on the season and Bayern," Alonso told Koenigl, but when questioned about a transfer back to Liverpool, he said, "I don't know what is going to happen in [the] future but hopefully I will know soon. My family and I are feeling very comfortable in Munich and we are happy here."

Alonso was in fine fettle for Bayern last year after a shock move from Los Merengues, featuring 36 times in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, according to WhoScored.com.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Madrid have looked less assured in possession since Alonso departed the Spanish capital, and his short-term return could help steady the ship as new coach Rafael Benitez attempts to hold on to his position. 

Alonso still has much to give the right employer, but it is questionable whether Madrid is a good fit for the 34-year-old.

A move to Liverpool would afford him more room to breathe and enjoy his football, whereas the current atmosphere at the Bernabeu would be challenging and potentially unrewarding. 

Madrid have a strong set of midfielders at the club, and if they opt to go in a different direction under Benitez, they can spend big in January on a world-class central operator with younger legs.