The Bernabeu outfit were one of the most active clubs in the summer transfer window, spending big to appease returning manager Zinedine Zidane ahead of the new season.

PETE JENSON: The incredible efficiency of Real Madrid's Rodrygo Goes helped Real Madrid sign off their Champions League group campaign with a 3-1 win over Club Brugges.

PETE JENSON AT THE NOU CAMP: The last there was a 0-0 between Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga someone had launched a pig's head onto the pitch at Luis Figo back in 2002.

Bale's commitment to Madrid was criticised in the Spanish press after posing with a 'Wales, golf, Madrid, in that order' banner after helping his country reach Euro 2020.

Coutinho, now on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling since his huge-money move to Barcelona, has seen his value slashed by a massive £60million according to Transfermarkt.

Ryan Sessegnon told of how Jose Mourinho had advised him to show more aggression when out of possession, and when he is on the ball to be more ambitious and take players on.

Gareth Bale has no intention of departing Real Madrid in the near future and even plans on having another full season in LaLiga, according to his agent.

Brahim Diaz - the former Manchester City forward who refuses to go out on loan - sent Real Madrid into the last-16 of the Spanish Cup with a brace after they suffered a scare.

Gareth Bale impressed on his return to Real Madrid's starting XI as they beat Unionistas de Salamanca 3-1 in the Copa del Rey but was forced off with an ankle injury in the 53rd minute of the game.

We've got a full weekend of LaLiga action ahead, with the league still wide open at both ends of the table. Barcelona and Real Madrid can hardly be separated at this stage of the season.  

With £85.3m from the sale of Gareth Bale burning a big hole in their pockets, Tottenham embarked on a crazy spending spree in the summer of 2013. But what became of their seven signings?

Reports emerged on Friday morning that Bale was in talks to return to Spurs but nothing will come of negotiations regarding the 30-year-old in this window.

Bale's (left) agent Jonathan Barnett (inset) insisted there was never any negotiations between Spurs and his client and that the Premier League outfit wouldn't be able to afford his wages.

Gareth Bale is determined to see out the final two years of his Real Madrid contract, according to the player's agent Jonathan Barnett.

Gareth Bale's agent has defended his Welsh charge after Real Madrid fans were angered by the winger leaving the Bernabeu with 10 minutes to go during their 4-3 defeat to Real Sociedad. 

Zinedine Zidane says that Real Madrid will count on Gareth Bale during the final months of the season after the Welsh forward started in the 4-1 win at Osasuna on Sunday.

Gareth Bale has been omitted from Real Madrid's squad to face Levante on Saturday, with the forward suffering with gastroenteritis. Bale was sent home from training on Wednesday.

The Spanish giants are looking to sell Gareth Bale in the summer and are hoping they can replace the Welsh winger with one of Europe's top forwards as they look to rebuild their side.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Having played no part in the win that put Real back in control of their LaLiga fate it seemed Bale was in no mood to share the celebratory mood sweeping the squad.

PETER CROUCH: The former England striker answers your questions on a range of football topics as part of a new weekly series on Sportsmail which will ensure you still get your football fix.

Zidane is reported to have a fractious relationship with Bale and attempted to force him out the club last summer - something the player felt was 'professional abuse'.

Real Madrid believe pay cuts for their highest earners will become 'inevitable' as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez, Mariano Diaz, Alvaro Odriozola, Alphone Areola and Nacho Fernandez will also be shipped out. Zinedine Zidane is hoping to raise £105million.

Although Gareth Bale would likely draw a hefty sum, Real Madrid reportedly want to hang on to him for now as they make preparations for a season without a major acquisition.

The Magpies are close to finalising a £300million takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium which is backed by the country's public investment fund.

The Premier League club are nearing a change of ownership after a £300million bid by a Saudi Arabia-lead consortium was accepted by controversial owner Mike Ashley.

I'm feeling a little bit tearful. It must be the time of year: almost Christmas, and being female we all want it to be perfect, when it's far from that

It wasn't quite an annus horribilis, as the Queen would say. Not like 2014. And 2015. And 2016. And, oh yes, 2017 and 2018

Some days, I should just never get out of bed. Take last Wednesday. I took delivery of a load of flagstones for the ground floor of my cottage...

You know I said last week that I wouldn't get angry? Want to know how that's going?

David brought me a pot of coffee in bed on Christmas morning. When I came downstairs, three small parcels were on my desk

I now have two engagement rings. Let me explain. The gold ring David gave me on Christmas Day wouldn't go over my knuckle so he insisted we go to a local jeweller to get it resized

On Friday afternoon I picked up my resized platinum and diamond engagement ring. I realise I'm the victim of several thousand years' worth of oppression because I keep admiring how it looks

Now that we are officially engaged, and with David wanting to talk things through in person, I suggested meeting at the organic pub in Islington

Oh dear. The platinum and diamond engagement ring has come off and is now sitting in its little box in my chest of drawers

Grrrr!!! Gahhhaaahhha! David went to see the flat in Notting Hill that I was thinking of renting, but not with any good grace, viz: 'I will view it for you, given you say I have no job.'

A strangely conflicted, confusing week. Having tried to return the engagement ring to the jeweller and failed, I texted David to try to make us work

Oh dear God. I have finally reached rock bottom. You thought it was bad when my husband cheated or I lost my home or David failed to take out the the trash?

I know I said last week that it's how nice you are inside that shows on your face. But as I contemplate flying to Sydney to meet the Hunk, I've been reconsidering that sentiment

I'm in Paris for the fashion shows. This isn't a sentence I thought I would ever write again, but two or three designers invited me.

You can tell a lot about someone's psyche by looking at their search history. Here's mine. On just one day, I searched 124 sites.

I've just realised that I should be loving being single. I am growing a beard.

Can you imagine. You have just had a row with your boyfriend, he has flounced out to drive back to London, and suddenly you are told you cannot leave your house?

I finally caved and sent David a light, friendly text. We should all be reaching out, shouldn't we?

I woke at 3am last night, could not get back to sleep. Thought my throat was itchy. No nice thoughts to comfort myself with

I've been thinking, over the past few days, about failure. Sometimes, something happens to throw your life into stark relief

'Met these lovely ladies the other night and they could not have been sweeter,' Sean raved in the caption, along with a heart emoticon. In the photo, Kendall puckered up to the camera.

The reality star-turned-make-up mogul, 22, who split with 20-month-old Stormi's father Travis Scott earlier this year, posted a caption in which she revealed her pregnancy made her 'stronger a

The 39-year-old beauty was seen in a flashback photo with the I Am Cait star as she wished her well. 'Happy 70th birthday Caitlyn Jenner,' she began her note.

Lily Allen and Stranger Things actor David Harbour have been dating for a couple of months, recently going Instagram official.