
Sociedad leave out Xabi
Real Sociedad have left Xabi Alonso out of their squad for their latest pre-season friendly, with Liverpool and Real Madrid chasing the player.
Real Sociedad are due to play neighbours Eibar of the Segunda Division on Saturday night, but Alonso, who also missed a recent friendly against Osasuna, will not feature.
Liverpool are thought to have offered around 15m euros (£10.1m) for Alonso, but could now face competition from Real Madrid who are desperate to sign a central midfielder following the failure of their attempts to sign Arsenal's Patrick Vieira.
Madrid are rumoured to have resumed their interest in Alonso with a 12m euro (£8.1m) offer, which Real have rejected.
Meanwhile Xabi received the support of his brother Mikel, who has returned to the Real Sociedad squad following six months on loan at Numancia.
"Xabi is very intelligent and he is taking all of this very well. All I want to see happen is the best for my brother," said Mikel