JUVENTUS general manager Jean-Claude Blanc is still confident of signing Xabi Alonso - despite the Spanish midfielder insisting yesterday he is planning for life at Anfield next season.
Liverpool have been holding out for a transfer fee of 20m euros (£15.75m) for the playmaker, and with Juve struggling to come up with the cash Alonso admitted he was in the dark about his future.
But Blanc still believes Alonso will be at the Stadio Olimpico next season, but claims the Bianconeri also have their eye on other midfielders.
"We're following more than three footballers," Blanc told Sky Italia. "And we'll see if what you read in the papers comes true or the other names we're working on.
"Xabi Alonso? It's an operation that we're taking forward and we'll compare him to other deals which could be done.
"We're looking for a very talented midfielder - there's not many of those around and some of them aren't available. We have to talk first with the club and then with the player.
"Only one of these deals will be done."
Liverpool, meanwhile, will kick-off their pre-season programme with a friendly against cross-river neighbours Tranmere just a week after returning to pre-season training.
A Reds squad will travel to Prenton Park on July 12, 2008 - the first time Liverpool have faced Rovers since the sides met at Prenton Park in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2001.
The last friendly between Liverpool and Tranmere took place in July 1993.
Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore said: "This is a mouth-watering opportunity for our players to test themselves against some world class opposition who have played at the very top level.
"It's a game I know both sets of supporters will look forward to and I'm sure there will be a bumper crowd.
“There are plenty of Tranmere fans who will want to see their team take on some of the best players in the world and Wirral-based Liverpool fans who have the opportunity to see their team in action playing a local club.
"Hopefully it will be a game everybody will enjoy.It should be a fantastic occasion and it is a great way to start our pre-season campaign.
"Rafa has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and has proved he's one of the top managers in the world. It will be a pleasure to put my side up against his.
"It's earlier than usual for us to be playing a friendly at home but we wanted to fit in with Liverpool's schedule."
Liverpool's confirmed pre-season programme so far is now as follows: July 12: v Tranmere Rovers (Prenton Park), July 16: v FC Lucerne (Grenchen), July 19: v Wisla Krakow (Friborg), July 22: v Hertha Berlin (Berlin), July 30: v Villarreal (Villarreal), Aug 2: v Rangers (Glasgow).
Liverpool have been holding out for a transfer fee of 20m euros (£15.75m) for the playmaker, and with Juve struggling to come up with the cash Alonso admitted he was in the dark about his future.
But Blanc still believes Alonso will be at the Stadio Olimpico next season, but claims the Bianconeri also have their eye on other midfielders.
"We're following more than three footballers," Blanc told Sky Italia. "And we'll see if what you read in the papers comes true or the other names we're working on.
"Xabi Alonso? It's an operation that we're taking forward and we'll compare him to other deals which could be done.
"We're looking for a very talented midfielder - there's not many of those around and some of them aren't available. We have to talk first with the club and then with the player.
"Only one of these deals will be done."
Liverpool, meanwhile, will kick-off their pre-season programme with a friendly against cross-river neighbours Tranmere just a week after returning to pre-season training.
A Reds squad will travel to Prenton Park on July 12, 2008 - the first time Liverpool have faced Rovers since the sides met at Prenton Park in an FA Cup quarter-final in 2001.
The last friendly between Liverpool and Tranmere took place in July 1993.
Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore said: "This is a mouth-watering opportunity for our players to test themselves against some world class opposition who have played at the very top level.
"It's a game I know both sets of supporters will look forward to and I'm sure there will be a bumper crowd.
“There are plenty of Tranmere fans who will want to see their team take on some of the best players in the world and Wirral-based Liverpool fans who have the opportunity to see their team in action playing a local club.
"Hopefully it will be a game everybody will enjoy.It should be a fantastic occasion and it is a great way to start our pre-season campaign.
"Rafa has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and has proved he's one of the top managers in the world. It will be a pleasure to put my side up against his.
"It's earlier than usual for us to be playing a friendly at home but we wanted to fit in with Liverpool's schedule."
Liverpool's confirmed pre-season programme so far is now as follows: July 12: v Tranmere Rovers (Prenton Park), July 16: v FC Lucerne (Grenchen), July 19: v Wisla Krakow (Friborg), July 22: v Hertha Berlin (Berlin), July 30: v Villarreal (Villarreal), Aug 2: v Rangers (Glasgow).
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