Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich: Deal agreed for Real Madrid midfielder

Former Spain international had been linked with a return to the Premier League

Xabi Alonso (GETTY IMAGES)

Xabi Alonso is on the verge of completing a switch from Real Madrid to Bayern Munich, with a deal having been agreed "in principle".

The Spaniard, who yesterday announced he was quitting international football, is currently in talks with the German champions and is due to undergo a medical today.

Bayern financial director Jan-Christian Dreesen said earlier today that a deal had been agreed between the two clubs "in principle".

"We are in friendly and final talks with Real Madrid and hopefully we will reach an agreement in a day or two," Dreesen said at a news conference.

Bayern Munich also confirmed the news on their Twitter account.

The move will bring an end to a five-year spell at Real Madrid, which began when he left Liverpool.

There had been rumours that Alonso could return to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Arsenal among those linked with the midfielder.

The 32-year-old won the 2008 and 2012 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup with Spain, and most recently lifted the Champions League.

Alonso will become the fifth Spaniard to play for Bayern, whose coach is another Spaniard, Pep Guardiola. Other Spaniards on the team are Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, Pepe Reina and Juan Bernat.

Martinez is out for six months with a knee injury and Thiago is also not expected to return before October. In addition, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is out for several weeks with a lingering knee injury.

Despite the injury problems, Bayern won their Bundesliga opener 2-1 against Wolfsburg. They face a tricky visit to Schalke on Saturday.