According to reports, Carlo Ancelotti has never had a role in selecting Real Madrid’s signings, much like Zinedine Zidane before him. Both managers have provided their opinions, but the final decisions are made by club president Florentino Pérez, general manager José Ángel Sánchez, and chief scout Juni Calafat. However, Ancelotti has been asked about the positions that need strengthening and the players he prefers. The Italian manager favors established players with less media hype over flashy stars or young talents.

Regarding Kylian Mbappé’s signing, Ancelotti had no objections, but he opposed the acquisition of Brazilian talent Endrick. He warned the management that with the forward line already crowded, there wouldn’t be enough playing time for everyone—something Endrick has paid the price for, as despite having the best goals-per-minute ratio, he has seen the least playing time due to competition from Mbappé, Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Bellingham. However, in the second leg against Arsenal at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid felt the absence of a classic striker like Joselu.

These are the players Ancelotti has recommended to strengthen the squad—four established players with experience in top English clubs.

William Saliba

To bolster the defense, Ancelotti suggested signing William Saliba, Arsenal’s French defender, whose contract runs until June 2027 and is valued at around €80 million. Saliba, 24, is one of the best defenders in the world, having played over 125 games for Arsenal in three seasons. English media have reported Real Madrid’s interest, but Saliba has publicly stated he is happy at Arsenal.

Manuel Akanji

The second defensive option proposed by Ancelotti is Manchester City’s Swiss defender Manuel Akanji. The 29-year-old has become a key player under Pep Guardiola, with stats similar to Saliba—over 125 appearances in the last three seasons. Akanji’s contract runs until 2027, and his current value is estimated at around €40 million, making him a more affordable option than Saliba.

Alexis Mac Allister

In midfield, Ancelotti recommended two players who are established at top clubs and their national teams. The first is Liverpool’s Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, who joined from Brighton in summer 2023 for around €40 million. The 26-year-old’s contract runs until 2028, and his value has risen to €90 million. Ancelotti had suggested him even during his Brighton days, but the club’s management didn’t see him as a fit at the time—despite his crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup-winning campaign.

Sandro Tonali

The final player on Ancelotti’s list is Newcastle’s Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, who returned to football after a 10-month ban for betting violations. Tonali, 24, is known in Italy as a “regista” (deep-lying playmaker) and has been dubbed the heir to Andrea Pirlo. With Toni Kroos retiring and Luka Modrić nearing 40, Tonali could fill a vital role in Madrid’s midfield. His contract runs until 2028, and Newcastle paid €70 million for him, though his current value is around €50 million—a figure Juventus is reportedly willing to pay to bring him back to Italy. Ancelotti admires his style and sees him as a solution to the void left by Kroos.

These are the four players Carlo Ancelotti has proposed when asked about potential signings—world-class, established players with low-key personalities, quite different from high-profile signings like Mbappé or young talents like Arda Güler or Endrick. While Ancelotti has enjoyed working with such talents, he believes the consistency of players like Fede Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, or Jude Bellingham aligns more with his philosophy.