Xabi Alonso has finalised his €30 million move to Real Madrid after weeks of negotiations and looking muy triste everywhere he went. Yes, it’s another coup for Potter Perez and the delusion of the Galactico 2.0 era which even we can’t swallow.

Following the agreement reached between Madrid and their new player, Xabi will touch down in Madrid later today for his medical examination (about 8 hours from now). He will not be able to complete a “full medical” because Real’s doctors are in Toronto for the club’s pre-season tour. Clearly, there was a lack of insight! They should’ve planned a full music-and-dance number at the gates of the San Sebastian…

Jorge Valdano is on cloud nine about the acquisition of Xabi. “We are very happy because we have completed rebuilding our squad in the best possible way,” he said in Spanish programme ‘El Larguero’.

“Xabi Alonso was worth fighting for because he is an important part of our plans. Remember, when I was here in my previous stint, we had practically signed him. But what was not fulfilled all those years ago is fulfilled now and we have a much more mature Xabi.”