Rafa - Alonso not for sale

Liverpool boss rejects reports of Real swoop for midfielder

Last updated: 22nd May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa - Alonso not for sale

Alonso: Not for sale

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Rafa Benitez has rejected reports that Xabi Alonso could be set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

The Spain international came close to exiting Anfield last summer as Benitez looked to raise funds to finance the purchase of Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Alonso and Barry eventually remained with their existing employers, but the Reds ace has now been linked with a possible move to Real Madrid.

Real presidential candidate Florentino Perez is believed to be keen on signing the former Real Sociedad ace, with reports suggesting Benitez could again look to cash in.

But the Liverpool boss, who pulled out of his weekly press conference at short notice, has now moved to quell the speculation.

Clear

He told the club's official website: "It's very clear, Xabi has three years left and we do not want to sell him."

Benitez has also hit out at frenzied transfer speculation around the club, which include suggestions of a big-money move for Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez.

He said: "When you know your targets then you read things you can say, 'they have no idea'.

"I don't waste too much time on this. We have already had about 90 Spanish players linked with us. Today there were three names we do not even know.

"We have some money, not big money. But for me now it is not about how much, but how good they are for us."

Assistant manager Sammy Lee took Benitez's place in front of reporters and backed up the manager's words on Alonso.

Speculation

He said: "The talk about Alonso (going to Real Madrid) is pure speculation. You cannot prevent talk.

"But we always want to keep the spine of the team, our very best players. You can't stop speculation, but we want to keep the core of our squad, the best players, here.

"New players will be brought in. You always want to keep improving on the field compared to what we have done this season.

"There is a platform now to go forward and hopefully win the title, but we have to get the best out of this squad to do it."