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Update Emerges Over Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid Future After 2-1 Win vs Alaves

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A major update over Xabi Alonso’s future has emerged after Real Madrid scraped a 2-1 win over Alaves on Sunday evening. The Spaniard has been in the Bernabeu hot seat for just seven months but is already facing an uphill battle to retain his post beyond the new year, amid growing murmurs of discontent within the dressing room.

Los Blancos’ hard-fought victory, courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo, was their first win across all competitions in three matches and only their third in the last nine fixtures. The result has done little to ease the pressure on the former Liverpool midfielder, who is under increasing scrutiny to turn things around and restore the club to its lofty, trophy-winning standards.

While the likes of Jude Bellingham have publicly voiced their support for Alonso in recent weeks, the final decision rests solely with the club’s hierarchy. A fresh update has now emerged – and it does not bode well for Alonso as he looks to continue building on an impressive managerial CV that includes an invincible Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen.

Update on Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid Future

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso bows his head.
UEFA Champions League – Real Madrid v Manchester City – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – December 10, 2025 Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso REUTERS/Susana Vera

According to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, Alonso’s time at Real Madrid is bound to come to an end at some point soon, with the performance at Alaves considered nowhere near good enough to prove he is making any progress. He wrote on X (see the full post below):

“Real Madrid beat Alaves, but not convincingly. He should continue, but it feels like kicking the can down the road. The underlying issues remain the same, and the win doesn’t really change the bigger picture. Xabi won’t make the team play as he wants to. Players won’t fully buy his idea.

But it makes no sense to get rid of him after a win in a difficult place Cup game against Talavera and Sevilla at the Bernabeu next. Then, in my eyes, the real test: the Spanish Supercup at the start of January. I feel that will give the club enough reasons to determine his future.”

As things are currently panning out, it seems that everyone knows the axe will fall on Alonso eventually, but odd results here and there are dragging out the process.

Current Favourites to Take Over Real Madrid Job

Jurgen Klopp

The managerial market is fairly dry at the moment, and evidence of how limited Florentino Perez’s options would be in finding a replacement for Alonso is reflected in the fact that Jurgen Klopp and Zinedine Zidane are being mooted as favourites to steady the ship. Oliver Glasner, who guided Crystal Palace to an FA Cup triumph last season, is third on the list.

Other options include out-of-work Steven Gerrard and recently appointed Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho, while rival boss Diego Simeone is also considered an outside shout.

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Tottenham Make £100m Offer for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali

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Tottenham have reportedly made a £100m offer to secure a new signing in the summer transfer window as they continue their big spending.

It’s already been a hectic window for the North London club, confirming three new additions with plenty of other deals being worked on.

Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi have all signed on the dotted line at Tottenham so far.

They certainly won’t be the only additions to arrive through the door in the coming weeks, with Spurs in talks to sign a number of players.

It’s no surprise that Tottenham are incredibly busy after such a disappointing season in the Premier League, finishing 17th for the second campaign in a row.


Roberto De Zerbi points during Tottenham's win over Everton


Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham Tie ‘Phenomenal’ Star Down to New 5-Year Contract

Tottenham aren’t messing around this summer.

Tottenham Make £100m Offer

Roberto De Zerbi via Reuters

According to reports, Tottenham have taken a big step towards securing their fourth signing of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham have submitted a £100m offer to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, and the Italian international wants to make the move to Spurs this summer to play under Roberto De Zerbi.

A few details are missing before Spurs can complete a deal, but Tonali, who has ‘incredible pace’ according to the Premier League, remains Tottenham’s number one target for the midfield position.

Tottenham are heavily prioritising signing new midfielders after strengthening their defence earlier in the window. Tonali does appear to be the priority target, with Spurs willing to pay a hefty amount of money to secure his signature.

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Tottenham Working on Fernandes Deal

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.

The north London club face competition from Manchester United for his signature, but Spurs are actively pushing to bring him to the club in the coming weeks.

The Portuguese midfielder could cost in the region of £85m to prise him away from West Ham, and it’s a competitive race to secure his signature.

Tottenham are clearly prioritising a move to sign a midfielder or two this summer, and it will be interesting to see if they try to bring in both Fernandes and Tonali.



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PSG Leading Race Ahead of Liverpool for Maghnes Akliouche

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Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.

Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.

The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.

Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.

It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.


Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca


Fabrizio Romano: Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race to Sign ‘Ridiculous’ Star

Man City are keen on the midfielder.

Liverpool Behind in Race for Star

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola looks on during Premier League match

According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.

Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.

Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.

Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.

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Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande celebrates a goal REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.

The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.

Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.

The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.

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Sweden’s Alexander Isak is Playing at the World Cup With Eritrea’s Flag on His Boots

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Alexander Isak is currently competing in his first-ever World Cup tournament this summer, but has another country’s flag on his boots. Liverpool’s British transfer fee record signing has looked much more like himself so far this tournament, with one goal and three assists in three appearances meaning he ranks among the best performers based on stats.

Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final match to set up an unenviable Round of 32 tie with France, who are among the favourites for glory come July 19. In that crunch fixture, Isak is likely to come up against Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but there’s no reason for him not to believe he can go toe-to-toe with them alongside Viktor Gyokeres.

Eagle-eyed supporters watching Tuesday night’s action might be keen to spot which flag Isak wears on his boots ahead of the iconic blue and yellow Swedish emblem. There’s a reason behind it.

Which Flag Alexander Isak Wears on his Boots – And Why

Alexander Isak TT News Agency via Reuters

Isak is proud of his heritage and has the Eritrean flag on his boots. The flag has been seen on Isak’s right Adidas boot in both World Cup games. Though he was born in Solna, just north of capital Stockholm, Isak’s parents are from Eritrea in Horn of Africa and moved to Sweden. Speaking in an interview with Alan Shearer, he said:

“Even though I grew up in Sweden, there is a big Eritrean community. I was always around, and raised, in that type of environment. I haven’t been there many times lately, but last time I was there, it was a really good experience. I don’t think there are too many idols they have within the sports world.”

He visited a football school during a trip to Eritrea, where he was mobbed by young children who look up to him. The country marked its 35th Independence Day in May after decades of struggle, and Isak wore an Eritrea shirt to send a celebratory message.

Located on the Red Sea coast, Eritrea borders Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The country gained independence in 1993 after a long war of liberation.

Isak represented Sweden at youth level before making his senior debut in 2017, ultimately committing his international future to the Scandinavian nation. Although he was also eligible to play for Eritrea, the national team had endured a long absence from major continental competition, going close to two decades without an Africa Cup of Nations appearance.

Their return to competitive action in March this year marked a rare bright moment, as they beat Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier staged in Morocco due to a lack of suitable infrastructure in Eritrea. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the return leg, results that finally earned the nation an official FIFA world ranking after years of inactivity.


FIFA World Rankings


FIFA Men’s World Rankings List

The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Before those victories, Eritrea had been the only unranked side in the system. Their earlier absence from qualifiers, including withdrawals from 2026 World Cup qualifying, left them in a unique position within the rankings. Reporting has previously suggested that repeated pullouts were linked in part to concerns over players seeking asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.

Since 2007, it is estimated that dozens of players and coaching staff have left the national setup during overseas trips, according to UN figures. More recently, Eritrea sit around 184th in the FIFA rankings, though that position could improve if they maintain consistent participation and results moving forward.

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