They feel the middle of pitch is well-covered, and although they are still looking at options, there is less urgency and they have ruled out spending big on the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Rodri Hernand...

Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. was on Thursday reunited with recently-departed manager Carlo Ancelotti in the former’s home country of Brazil.

Alonso is expected to bring more structure. He prefers a three-at-the-back system that encourages full-backs to play higher up the pitch.