Chelsea's hopes of signing Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso have been given a massive boost, The Dail Star reports

The Spanish international, who has been monitored by the Blues this summer, is out of contract at the end of next season.

Alonso and his representatives have held talks with Madrid but so far they haven't come to an agreement.

And it seems the Spanish giants are getting ready for life without the 31-year-old after new sources in Spain revealed they could be readying a bid for Real Sociedad player Asier Illarramendi.

The 23-year-old's teamate Xabi Prieto gave his reaction to Illarramendi's switch to the Bernabéu, revealing he thought his club would have trouble holding onto the midfielder.