Alonso admits Real desire

But midfielder won't ask for transfer

Last updated: 20th July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Alonso admits Real desire

Alonso: Real admission

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Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Big-spending Real have been courting Alonso all summer as they look to rebuild their squad after a disappointing campaign last term.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema have already arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and Alonso is the next player in Real president Florentino Perez's sights.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is loath to lose Alonso as he looks to keep hold of his best players for another assault on the Premier League title this season.

Real are believed to be unwilling to meet Liverpool's current valuation of Alonso, but they are refusing to give up their pursuit of the midfield playmaker as they look to create a new team of Galacticos.

Alonso admits he would be interested in joining Perez's revolution, but insists he will not try and force the issue by asking for a transfer.

"It's always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now," Alonso told AS.

"But at this point, as I have always said, whether or not that can happen is not up to me. It's a matter that involves three parties, including myself.

"I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk.

"Madrid's project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I can't tell you anything else."

Talks

Alonso revealed he will hold talks with Benitez over his future during Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Austria.

"I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I arrive [in Austria] is to greet him," he commented.

"But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for all that, even though in reality, there's nothing in particular to talk to Rafa about. It's the clubs who have to negotiate to reach an agreement."

Asked why Liverpool had rejected Real's initial overtures, Alonso said: "I am not the man who can answer these questions.

"The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out either because I am not a fortune teller."

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Comments (6)

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Colin Lyons (Manchester United fan) says...

As a United fan, i hope he stays. It's good to see liverpool challenging again, instead of teams like Chelsea and Man City who think they can buy the league Alonso is vital to pool and they must hold on to him to have any chance of a title fight again this season

Posted 21:42 20th July 2009

Ifeanyi Joseph (Liverpool fan) says...

It will be a massive loss if Alonso is to leave us at this crucial time. I pray he stays for this year's title push. There is no better midfield player available in the market that can replace him for us at the moment. ALONSO please stay

Posted 20:19 20th July 2009

Paul Kershaw (Manchester United fan) says...

Liverpool will not win the league next season because they won't have improved the squad and the only reason that they came second to United last season is because Chelsea were not at their best. This next season will be different and there will be other teams stronger such as Tottenham, City, Everton, Villa and Arsenal. My bet is that they will struggle to qualify for the champions league.

Posted 20:03 20th July 2009

Jerome Aube says...

Keep the best Rafa, so that we can challenge on every front. Rafa must'nt sell Alonso or Masherano. The obvious reason that every top side wants to disband Liverpool's mid-field is because it is almost certainly the best in Europe at the moment and they all have fear in their hearts that the echoes of the great Liverpool sides of the seventies and eighties are within Rafa's grasp . We have waited for almost 2 decades for the league and now that it is finally within our reach we shouldnt weaken the squad. Rather get rid of all the excess players that arent shaping than the best holding midfielder (Masherano) and the best crosser of the ball (Alonso). We cant rely only on Gerrard and Torres to achieve the great things that are almost obtainable, we need those boys in our side. Alonso and Masherano, if you read this, remember the famous Liverpool saying ' You'll never walk alone' Rather be big fish in a small pond than small fish in a big pond.

Posted 15:28 20th July 2009

Collins Mwanza (Liverpool fan) says...

We supported you when the gaffer wasn't sure of you, you proved him wrong & he wants you to stay. That's not important!! The fans were behind you!!! LFC is so close & you are vital to the chance of finishing the Premiership drought!! You can go to Real...ONLY after we win the League this Season!!!

Posted 15:02 20th July 2009

Michael Ot (Liverpool fan) says...

Refreshing to see a player not throwing his dummy out when he could probably force the issue with a transfer request. All credit to Alonso, when he maybe had the right; after the way he was treated last pre-season. For now to be an almost indispensable part of our squad, shows how good a player he is in adversity. Hopefully we see him in the red shirt of Liverpool next season, were he's loved by the fans. We will be a lot weaker without him, thats for sure.

Posted 14:41 20th July 2009
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