“We’ve sold Elvis and bought the Beatles!” crowed at least more than one former Tottenham player shortly after a transfer deadline that saw Gareth Bale finally depart for Real Madrid and the last chunk of £106 million worth of new talent check in at White Hart Lane.

Teething problems were always likely when La Liga’s big two began the season with new coaches, but even by La Liga standards Barcelona’s Gerardo Martino and Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti have had eventful first 100 days in charge.

Alex Ferguson cannot wait to lock horns with Jose Mourinho again in the Premier League, although the Portuguese says he has still to decide where his future lies.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has stressed he has not made a decision over where he will be next season.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho today stressed he has not made a decision over where he will be next season.

Iker Casillas has played down his controversial omission from Real Madrid’s line-up against Malaga, insisting he must accept coach Jose Mourinho’s decision and focus on regaining his starting berth.

Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has been discharged from hospital after undergoing an operation on his parotid gland on Thursday.

Barcelona today announced Tito Vilanova’s operation on his parotid gland had gone “as expected” as the 44-year-old began a second battle with cancer.

Barcelona have pledged their support to coach Tito Vilanova after confirming he faces a second battle against cancer.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been hailed as the greatest player of all-time by team-mate and fellow Argentinian Javier Mascherano.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi last night broke Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year as his double helped Tito Vilanova’s side to a 2-1 victory at Real Betis.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has played down talk of a personal duel with Real Madrid counterpart Jose Mourinho ahead of tonight’s vital Champions League clash.

Roberto Mancini’s son Andrea has defended his father against his critics and claimed the Manchester City boss knows more about football than Jose Mourinho.

It’s many years since Real Madrid fans have been as happy going into a new campaign.

BARCELONA retained their Primera Division crown last night as they thrashed Real Valladolid 4-0 at home amid a carnival atmosphere at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona 4 Valladolid 0

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he is satisfied with his first season at Real Madrid even though it looks destined to end trophyless.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

DAMIEN DUFF and Stephen Hunt were among some of the bigger names who trained with an unusually lean Irish squad at the home of St Michael’s FC in Tipperary yesterday – lean because some 10 members of the panel for next Wednesday’s game against Australia in Limerick were otherwise engaged with their clubs.

WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy now believes his €7.6m striker Kevin Doyle would benefit from playing 45 minutes against Australia at Thomond Park on Wednesday.

MIDDLESBROUGH’s bid to make an instant return to the Premier League got off to an inauspicious start as they were held to a goalless draw by Sheffield United in the opening game of the new season.

Kevin Doyle will miss the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Australia next week as he continues his fight for fitness after his hernia operation a fortnight ago.

Manchester United have confirmed the sale of Angolan striker Manucho to Spanish outfit Real Valladolid.

BARCELONA captain Carlos Puyol insists his team have no excuse not to triumph in the first leg of their Champions League clash against Bayern Munich tonight.

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has been given a vote of confidence by sporting director Predrag Mijatovic.

Real Madrid have announced there will be a press conference with sporting director Predrag Mijatovic at the Bernabeu this evening as speculation over the future of coach Bernd Schuster intensifies.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is keeping his fingers crossed his latest knee problem will only keep him sidelined until the middle of January.

REAL MADRID striker Gonzalo Higuain hailed his side’s fighting spirit after Bernd Schuster’s side claimed an incredible Primera Liga victory over Malaga on Saturday.

Thierry Henry has given Barcelona a huge boost by declaring himself fit to face Rangers next week in the Champions League.

Rangers striker Steven Naismith insists the possible absence of Thierry Henry from the Barcelona side will make little difference when the two sides meet in the Nou Camp next Wednesday night.

Barcelona are facing a nervous wait before learning whether Thierry Henry will be fit to face Rangers in the Champions League.

Rafael Benitez’s agent insists the Liverpool manager has no intention of leaving the club at the end of the season despite being linked with the Real Madrid job.

MANCHESTER UNITED are now expected to complete the signing of £6 million-rated defender Gabriel Heinze today.

Manchester United are now expected to complete the signing of defender Gabriel Heinze tomorrow.

Manchester United are expected to complete the signing of £6m-rated (€9m) defender Gabriel Heinze later today.

ENGLAND assistant manager Tord Grip believes Nicky Butt’s international prospects would benefit from a move away from Manchester United.

Ricardo Lopez is enjoying his loan stint with Racing Santander but still dreams of making Manchester United’s number one shirt his own.

SPANISH international striker Raul, already his country’s top scorer in history with 34 goals, reached another landmark in Saturday’s 7-2 win over Real Valladolid in which he had a hat-trick.

ALEX FERGUSON headed back to Manchester on Saturday with his temper vastly improved, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes teamed up to dash Newcastle’s hopes of a famous victory.

Alex Ferguson will sit back and hope to be surprised by his young charges at the Riazor Stadium tonight.

Alex Ferguson will get the chance to make a few changes next week after Manchester United's tense 3-2 Champions League win at Olympiakos.

Spanish international keeper Ricardo is standing by to make his Manchester United debut at Old Trafford tomorrow amid further fitness concerns over Fabien Barthez.

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has become the latest top-flight manager to come out in defence of Sunderland counterpart Peter Reid.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo Lopez from Real Valladolid for £1.5m (€2.4m).