Real's legends will play for Ten Hag

Xabi Alonso left Bayer Leverkusen for Real Madrid—but in Madrid he won’t have Lucas Vazquez in his squad. That’s because Vazquez is heading the same way, but in the opposite direction. After secretly completing his medicals, the experienced full-back signed a contract until 2027. There were reports last night that this deal will be done but today it was officially confirmed. A few days ago, Vazquez posted “tick tock” on Instagram, signaling that a deal with his new club was close. The right-back, now 34, who spent almost his entire career at Real Madrid (apart from one season on loan at Espanyol), joined Leverkusen as a free agent after his contract with the Royal Club expired.

The financial details are unknown, but one thing is certain: the championship pedigree of the former Spain international is coming to Leverkusen with the intent of improving the not-so-ideal impression Erik ten Hag has left since arriving. A man with five Champions League titles and four La Liga titles knows better than anyone in this squad how to win and compete at the highest level. So far in this transfer window, Bayer spent 141,000,000 euros, but the experience and power of Lucas Vazquez puts him in front of all other signings - Malik Tillman, Jarell Quansah, Loïc Bade... The popular “Cafucas,” as Real fans nicknamed him, is one of the rare homegrown players from Real’s academy who managed to establish himself long-term in the senior team. Over the last ten years, he played 402 matches for Los Blancos in all competitions, scoring 38 goals.

Can't care less than Boniface - who cares about new club?

"Now I'm looking forward to continuing my career at Bayer Leverkusen. I've heard a lot about the club from Xabi Alonso and my long-standing teammate Dani Carvajal in Madrid. My discussions with the management confirmed what I've been told: Bayer 04 are absolutely focused on winning, are hungry and they are aiming for the biggest targets. That mindset coincides with my ideas and I'm looking forward to striving for more success at Leverkusen" said Vazquez after signing.