FC Barcelona opened their LaLiga season with a 3-0 win over nine-man Mallorca at Estadi Son Moix on Saturday, in a match marked by controversy and fierce

In response, club president Florentino Perez hired Alonso and sanctioned around €180million (£155m; $210.5m) to be spent on new players, including defenders Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold, along with exciting young Argentine playmaker Franco Mastantuono.

And according to MD, owing in large part to the imminent arrival of Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso in the dugout in Spain’s capital, Real Madrid can now be considered a legitimate contender for Tah: ‘Many are trying to block Tah’s move to Barça. One of them is Xabi Alonso, who wants to take him to Real Madrid, where he will manage from June 30th. Madrid needs to strengthen its central ...

Real will host Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu for their opening game of the new LaLiga season. Speaking today in his media preview, Xabi was asked about new signing Mastantuono: "The first time I spoke to him, I was truly struck by his personality. He was still only 17 years old and very self-confident.

Xabi Alonso greets his player Jonathan Tah Getty Images Despite Tah having a verbal agreement with Barça, the club has not been able to formalize the signing due to ongoing financial fair play ...