Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has expressed strong support for Xabi Alonso, who has taken over as the new Real Madrid manager. Speaking from Spain’s national team training camp, Merino said

Carlo Ancelotti’s exit to manage the Brazil national team has led to the fellow Italians who assisted him at the Bernabeu leaving too. That was a group that led Madrid to win two Champions League titles after Ancelotti’s return for a second spell as coach in 2021, so replacing them will be a tough task.

Real Madrid are interested in signing Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund on loan from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.