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Liverpool's Xabi Alonso off to Real Madrid
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
enlargeReal Madrid are ready to make their move to bring Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso back to Spain.
Alonso is currently in Bangkok with his Liverpool colleagues preparing for today’s friendly against Thailand.
But with Real coach Manuel Pellegrini reaffirming his club’s interest in the midfielder and maintaining Real's desire to capture the Spain international, the race for his signature could be widening.
Sources in Spain insist that both Chelsea and Manchester City have been in touch with Alonso's agent to enquire about the current situation.
Although Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has stated publicly he does not want to sell the 28 year-old, a bid of £30million-plus would probably change his mind.
So far Madrid have refused to meet the asking price, but if Chelsea or Manchester City do become involved, it could well force up the price.
Pellegrini said yesterday: “Alonso is a very good player, but I do not know now what is going to happen.
“He is a Liverpool player, but we will see what happens in the future.
“He is a player that I like, but I cannot speak about players who are not at Real Madrid now.”
Benitez has declined to be drawn on the issue after arriving in Bangkok earlier this week, other than to say that the player was available for selection against Thailand.
Liverpool's players trained at the national stadium yesterday, watched by the Thailand manager Peter Reid, the former Everton captain.
Alonso and the rest of his Spanish colleagues in the squad were confined to fitness work.
Fernando Torres, Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Albert Riera and Alonso all joined up with the Liverpool squad on Sunday, when the Reds lost 1-0 to Rapid Vienna.
Alonso and his countrymen had been given extra time off following their participation in the Confederations Cup.
Before flying to Vienna, Alonso said: “It is always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now.”
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i was at the match yesterday and it def looks as though alonso is set to leave despite the crowds insistence on him to stay. match report here:
http://thebleacherbums.wordpress.com/2009/07/23/thailand-v-liverpool-match-report-and-pictures/
Posted by chris | 23.07.09, 12:21 GMT
This has been a constant theme in the telegraph over the last two months. Uncredited reports spouting rubbish about Liverpool FC and their players. Where
Posted by The Red Eye | 22.07.09, 17:26 GMT
Moving from one team living on former glories to another - he's winning nothing at Anfield so why not?
Posted by Sean | 22.07.09, 17:21 GMT
Talk about a mis-informed headline. "Alonso off to Real Madrid"? Where in the "article" does it say that?
Posted by David Airey | 22.07.09, 15:32 GMT
Yeah, whats the deal with that headline?
Posted by Marty | 22.07.09, 15:15 GMT
-------------------------------casillas-----------------------------------------ramos---------------------pepe-----------albiol-----------marcelo------c.ronaldo-----------------x.alonso--------ribery----------kaka-------------------------------benzema-------raul(higuain)--------------------
Posted by astrit | 22.07.09, 13:59 GMT
Re DIke Charles - 'the chance of winning the league' LOL You're having a laugh aren't you!!! Cheers that's the funniest thing I've heard in ages!!
Posted by Chris | 22.07.09, 13:41 GMT
a very tabloidy headline.. where is the evidence that he is definately 'off to Real'?
Posted by finty | 22.07.09, 13:38 GMT
Please don't go!
Posted by visual | 22.07.09, 09:41 GMT
28? He is 27
Posted by Igorsuncledave | 22.07.09, 06:20 GMT
Please alonso should not leave us now, we have the chance of winning the leage. He should know that liverpool made him what he is today, and give us one year to win the leage please
Posted by DIke CHARLES | 22.07.09, 03:31 GMT
The article title does not jive with what's been "reported."
Posted by anon | 22.07.09, 00:47 GMT