Alonso deal ends Real Madrid spending spree, says Valdano

Madrid: Real Madrid have ended their search for new signings with the deal to sign Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso from Liverpool and will now focus on trimming their squad, director general Jorge Valdano said.Alonso is due to take a medical in Madrid before completing a reported 30 million euro (25.4 million pounds) transfer later in the day. He is not expected to be presented to fans until after the club`s tour to North America which leaves Thursday.

"We understood Xabi Alonso was an important player to complete our squad, and it was worth Real Madrid fighting for him," Valdano told a radio station. "The club needed a shake up. Some very good players have come in to strengthen every position and the fans are very excited.” "With this move we end the search for new players. We continue searching for an exit for those who are surplus to requirements." Having spent around 250 million euros to lure eight players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema to the Bernabeu, Real have until the end of August to cut Manuel Pellegrini`s squad back to 25 players. Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and forwards Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Alvaro Negredo have been linked with interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and England. Bureau Report