The likelihood of Xabi Alonso leaving Liverpool this summer continues to decrease, with reports emerging that the club's American owners are preparing to top up the transfer kitty themselves.
Prior to EURO 2008 it seemed a foregone conclusion that Alonso would end his four-year spell on Merseyside to join Juventus.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez made no secret of his designs on Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, nor of the fact his transfer funds would be limited - two and two equalled the Basque playmaker leaving Anfield.
But things have taken a turn following Spain's triumph in Austria and Switzerland. Juve opted instead for the cheaper Christian Poulsen to fill out their midfield, while Villa knocked back bid after bid for Barry and refused to budge from their £18million quote.
Fenerbahce, Internazionale and Arsenal are reported to be interested in Alonso, but the 26-year-old has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the side he helped to Champions League glory in 2005.
Meanwhile, Benitez has spent the £20million he raised from selling John Arne Riise, Danny Guthrie, Scott Carson and Peter Crouch on Robbie Keane, leaving him short of cash for Barry.
The Spanish tactician recently proclaimed that he would have to offload more players to fulfil his summer transfer plans, raising further doubts over Alonso's future, while it was also reported that the ex-Real Sociedad player sought crunch talks with his manager.
But everyone - except Villa, perhaps - could be about to get exactly what they want, as The Daily Mail claims that Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have decided to take out further loans to secure Barry's signature without having to sell Alonso.
Such a move would allow the Premier League giants to comfortably accommodate for the early-season absence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva, who will compete at the Beijing Olympics.
However, the Americans' plans - if these are indeed their plans - could meet with opposition from certain sectors of the Reds' support, given the club's unpaid debts and the fact they must raise £300million for a new stadium in Stanley Park.
Prior to EURO 2008 it seemed a foregone conclusion that Alonso would end his four-year spell on Merseyside to join Juventus.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez made no secret of his designs on Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, nor of the fact his transfer funds would be limited - two and two equalled the Basque playmaker leaving Anfield.
But things have taken a turn following Spain's triumph in Austria and Switzerland. Juve opted instead for the cheaper Christian Poulsen to fill out their midfield, while Villa knocked back bid after bid for Barry and refused to budge from their £18million quote.
Fenerbahce, Internazionale and Arsenal are reported to be interested in Alonso, but the 26-year-old has repeatedly expressed his desire to stay with the side he helped to Champions League glory in 2005.
Meanwhile, Benitez has spent the £20million he raised from selling John Arne Riise, Danny Guthrie, Scott Carson and Peter Crouch on Robbie Keane, leaving him short of cash for Barry.
The Spanish tactician recently proclaimed that he would have to offload more players to fulfil his summer transfer plans, raising further doubts over Alonso's future, while it was also reported that the ex-Real Sociedad player sought crunch talks with his manager.
But everyone - except Villa, perhaps - could be about to get exactly what they want, as The Daily Mail claims that Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have decided to take out further loans to secure Barry's signature without having to sell Alonso.
Such a move would allow the Premier League giants to comfortably accommodate for the early-season absence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva, who will compete at the Beijing Olympics.
However, the Americans' plans - if these are indeed their plans - could meet with opposition from certain sectors of the Reds' support, given the club's unpaid debts and the fact they must raise £300million for a new stadium in Stanley Park.
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