Real Madrid defender Marcos Alonso completes Bolton Wanderers move
English Premier League (EPL) team Bolton Wanderers have completed the transfer of Marcos Alonso from Real Madrid. The teenager has arrived on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The young left-back made the breakthrough into Madrid’s first-team last season, making his debut in a win over Racing Santander in April. It was his only senior appearance for the team, though he has played in three games for Spain’s Under-19 side.
Manager Owen Coyle spoke of his delight at capturing the player’s services. He told the club’s official website: "He is an exciting young player who has undoubted quality and he will bring that into our mix. I think that we have a real talent on our hands. I have said before that when we are investing money in transfers that I want to do it with young, talented players. He isn't the finished article yet - he's a young player making his way - but you don't get through at Real Madrid without having a bit about you."
The former St. Johnstone boss revealed that the highly-rated 19 year-old had snubbed the chance to move to Portuguese club Benfica in favour of testing himself in the Premiership. He said: "His agents, his family were as good as their word. When a club with the stature of Benfica comes along it's obviously going to turn your head. But all throughout they gave me the commitment Marcos wanted to come to Bolton. It's a terrific piece of business to pull this off."
First-team chance
Though Alonso was sad to move on from Real, he believes he can make much more of a first-team impact at Bolton. He said: "It was difficult to leave Real because they are one of the best clubs in the world. But I think it is difficult to play at the top in Real. To come to Bolton is a very good move. Maybe I could have stayed and played with the first team, but I don't know. It's very difficult. But here at Bolton, if I work very hard, I have the possibility to play in the first team."
Alonso hails from a rich football pedigree as his grandfather and father played for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. At Bolton, he faces competition for the left-sided defensive role in the form of Jlloyd Samuel and Paul Robinson.
Alonso is not yet match-fit following an ankle injury, but is confident of being ready to play in Bolton’s first game of the league campaign against Fulham on Aug. 14th. He said: "I will start training on Thursday and I think I will be perfect for the first league match.”
Alonso’s move paves the way for Madrid boss Jose Mourinho to pursue one of the top names on his transfer wish list – England defender Ashley Cole. Mourinho signed the left-back from Arsenal when he was manager of Chelsea. The cross-London switch proved controversial after a tapping-up scandal in 2005. A meeting at a London hotel saw Cole, his agent Jonathan Barrett, and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, discuss the player’s transfer - without Arsenal having been informed. All four were sanctioned for their role in the affair. Cole completed his move to Chelsea the following year for a fee of £5 million, with William Gallas heading in the opposite direction as a makeweight.
Mourinho has a strong relationship with Cole, while the player is allegedly looking to leave the United Kingdom due to press attention he has received following his split from wife Cheryl. The Madrid boss is rumoured to be considering offering Kaka, a player Chelsea has long been interested in, as a sweetener in any deal. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti brought the best out of the Brazilian at AC Milan and is thought to be keen to once again team up with the 28 year-old.
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