Neither Stiller nor Rodri, Xabi Alonso offers a €25 million alternative for the midfield
🧩 Joey Veerman: Xabi Alonso’s €25M Midfield Alternative for Real Madrid
As the post-Kroos and Modrić era begins to take shape at the Santiago Bernabéu, Xabi Alonso is actively exploring options to refresh and reinforce Real Madrid’s midfield. While the club continues to monitor high-profile names like Martin Zubimendi, Florian Wirtz, and Angelo Stiller, a surprise candidate has now entered the conversation — Joey Veerman of PSV Eindhoven.
🇳🇱 Smart Scouting: Veerman Over Stiller?
Veerman, a 25-year-old Dutch playmaker, has been on Xabi Alonso’s radar since his time at Bayer Leverkusen. The Spanish tactician views him as a cost-effective and tactically versatile option who could seamlessly adapt to Madrid’s evolving midfield dynamics.
- Price tag: Estimated at €25–30 million, significantly lower than other midfield targets.
- Profile: Deep-lying playmaker with excellent vision, passing range, and positional awareness — traits reminiscent of Toni Kroos, albeit less polished.
🧠 Replacing Legends, Not Replicating Them
The departures of Toni Kroos (2024) and Luka Modrić (2025) have left a technical and leadership vacuum in Madrid’s engine room. While young talents like Camavinga, Valverde, and Arda Güler are rising to the occasion, none yet fully replicate the tempo-setting control Modrić once brought.
Veerman could offer:
- Balance between possession control and progressive passing
- Tactical discipline with the ability to operate in double pivots or in more advanced roles
- Immediate availability and experience, having featured consistently for PSV and in European competitions
🤫 Real Madrid’s Transfer Curveballs
Recent history suggests Madrid thrives in silence. The sudden arrivals of Camavinga (2021) and Arda Güler (2023) were virtually under the radar until the deals were sealed. The club is known to move discreetly and often favors low-profile signings with high ceilings.
With this philosophy, Veerman fits the mold:
- Not a media favorite, but technically and mentally prepared for a bigger challenge
- Offers low risk with potentially high return, especially under a manager like Xabi Alonso who values intelligent midfielders
💰 Balancing the Budget
While Real Madrid is expected to spend significantly this summer, they remain financially cautious and pragmatic. High-profile reinforcements in defense and attack (e.g. Mbappé, Alexander-Arnold) may limit their budget for midfielders. In that context, a €25M move for Veerman could represent excellent value.
Moreover, the potential departure of a current squad member seeking more playing time could help finance such a move — a scenario that Madrid does not rule out.
