But listen to the way Xabi Alonso spoke about Alex Grimaldo throughout Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible title-winning season — when he provided 10 goals and 13 assists in the Bundesliga from his high-flying wing-back role — and it would be fair to assume that the Spaniard was top of the class.

Madrid have already backed Alonso with over €100million spent on Dean Huijsen, young Franco Mastantuono and Trent Alexander-Arnold, having stumped up a fee to re

Real Madrid are reportedly open to offers for Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos during this summer's transfer window, with the trio not in the plans of head coach Xabi Alonso moving forward.