Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Xabi Alonso, Robert Lewandowski Rumours

Real Madrid have their eyes set on a double swoop for Bayern Munich duo Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski, but the German club's hierarchy aren't concerned about losing either of their stars next year.  

Alonso's former club, Liverpool, are also understood to be in the hunt for his talents, but Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German newspaper Bild the player wishes to remain (h/t Charlie Phillippe of the Daily Express): "Recently, I had a talk with Xabi. He feels very good at Bayern Munich and in the city of Munich too. He signalled to me he is interested in staying in Munich. Rumours he would plan to leave are wrong."

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The Spaniard is courting attention in the buildup to 2016, largely because his contract expires in a little over six months, and the player would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January.

The 34-year-old left Real Madrid in 2014, but with Rafa Benitez now at Los Blancos' helm, Liverpool have major competition in the race to sign Alonso. Phillippe provided quotes from the central midfielder, who left his future options open: "I have not made a decision yet, neither for Bayern nor against. Even concerning the end of my career I have not set a limit. I am pleased about the positive signals. I am happy to be at the club. I can feel the respect, this is important. Now we will see what happens."

It was, of course, Benitez who first brought Alonso to Merseyside when he took over at Liverpool in 2004, and it appears Real are now seeking alternatives to the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco and Mateo Kovacic.

Considering his age, Alonso's next move could well be his last at the top level, but Unibet recently posted footage showing the playmaker still boasts some rare skill:

Alonso has started in 12 of his 13 Bundesliga appearances under manager Pep Guardiola this season, and his future at the Allianz Arena could depend largely on whether his compatriot remains.

Spanish radio station Cadena COPE reported in late November that Guardiola has already agreed to take over at Manchester City when his Bayern contract expires next summer (h/t Eurosport's Tom Adams).

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

The immediate concern regarding Real's interest in Lewandowski need not be as grave when one considers the striker has another three-and-a-half years to run on his deal in Bavaria.

Rummenigge is among those refusing to acknowledge speculation of an exit, and he recently spoke to Bild (h/t ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld), where he insisted the following:

"

We are in no way nervous. I've got a good relationship with him [Lewandowski] and his agents. I don't have problem with them showing up in another stadium. I can imagine that Madrid are interested in Robert, but that leads nowhere.

The player has three and a-half years left on his contract. I can also imagine that Robert will stay here longer than that.

"

It's the kind of talk that might fill a Bayern fan with confidence, and Der FCB aren't a club that tend to sell talent unless it's their wish to do so. They won't be in any kind of rush to offload Lewandowski.

Moreover, Lewandowski has come out himself in defiance of reports attaching him with a departure from the reigning Bundesliga champions, per Squawka:

The former Borussia Dortmund attacker has 20 goals in 22 total appearances this season and is aiming to break his personal best of 36 goals in a campaign, enjoying his football as the centrepiece in Guardiola's master plan.

It's difficult to see where the Polish poacher would fit into a team that already boasts Karim Benzema as its main striker, but Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports has gone against the player's own word, insisting rumours are on the money:

Real might struggle to convince Lewandowski his silverware prospects would be better served at the Bernabeu than at Bayern based on this season's performances, with the Germans on track for a fourth successive Bundesliga crown.

Rummenigge retains a tough stance regarding the sale of one of the club's most prized assets, but Real's pulling power and persistence mean this particular race isn't likely to be over anytime soon.