Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly both plan to begin courting Xabi Alonso imminently as they fight it out to land the Real Madrid midfielder on a free transfer.

The Spaniard's current Los Blancos deal expires at the end of the season, meaning that he will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with other clubs in January.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is refusing to sell the 31-year-old in the New Year and therefore risks losing him for nothing in the summer if he chooses to move on.

The Daily Star claims that United are leading the chase to sign the former Liverpool player as David Moyes looks to add the creative midfielder that he failed to recruit in the last transfer window.

Chelsea are also apparently pursuing Alonso, who has recently recovered from a broken foot and worked under Jose Mourinho when the Blues manager was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti recently rebuffed suggestions that he would swap Alonso for Juventus star Andrea Pirlo.