Xabi Alonso has denied having been approached by Real Madrid’s presidential candidate Florentino Perez over a summer move to the Bernabeu.
Reports in Spain have claimed the Liverpool midfielder is one of several players Perez is promising will be captured as part of his campaign to be re-elected at the club.
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Lyon striker Karim Benzema are also of Perez’s shopping list.
Perez, who presided over the infamous Galacticos era at the Bernabeu between 2000 and 2006, is favourite to depose current president Vicente Boluda during the forthcoming Real Madrid elections.
It has been suggested Perez has already opened talks with his potential signings, but Alonso – currently preparing for his country’s World Cup qualifier against Turkey tomorrow – distanced himself from such talk yesterday.
“I’ve not had any contact with Florentino Perez,” said Alonso. “I don’t like to comment on speculation, but I’m used to these kind of rumours.
“At the present time I am only focused on Spain and on the game with Turkey.”
Liverpool went into the international break having closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United to a single point.
United still have a game in hand and Alonso admits the Old Trafford outfit must still be regarded favourites for the title.
“It’s going to be difficult because we can’t afford to drop many points and we know that United have a very good team,” said the Spaniard.
“They are the main favourites, of course, but we are going to be doing our best to be challenging until the final weeks of the season.
“I think the pressure is on United. They are the champions. They are in the best position and they have that advantage. We have to do our job and try to make things difficult for them.”
Alonso believes Liverpool’s improvement in form has coincided with the Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard rekindling their partnership in attack.
At the moment the team is playing and defending well as a team,” he added. “The partnership between Stevie and Fernando is working well for us.
“Of course Torres is really important for us. When he’s fit he’s a threat for all the defenders and that’s a boost for us.”
Reports in Spain have claimed the Liverpool midfielder is one of several players Perez is promising will be captured as part of his campaign to be re-elected at the club.
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Lyon striker Karim Benzema are also of Perez’s shopping list.
Perez, who presided over the infamous Galacticos era at the Bernabeu between 2000 and 2006, is favourite to depose current president Vicente Boluda during the forthcoming Real Madrid elections.
It has been suggested Perez has already opened talks with his potential signings, but Alonso – currently preparing for his country’s World Cup qualifier against Turkey tomorrow – distanced himself from such talk yesterday.
“I’ve not had any contact with Florentino Perez,” said Alonso. “I don’t like to comment on speculation, but I’m used to these kind of rumours.
“At the present time I am only focused on Spain and on the game with Turkey.”
Liverpool went into the international break having closed the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester United to a single point.
United still have a game in hand and Alonso admits the Old Trafford outfit must still be regarded favourites for the title.
“It’s going to be difficult because we can’t afford to drop many points and we know that United have a very good team,” said the Spaniard.
“They are the main favourites, of course, but we are going to be doing our best to be challenging until the final weeks of the season.
“I think the pressure is on United. They are the champions. They are in the best position and they have that advantage. We have to do our job and try to make things difficult for them.”
Alonso believes Liverpool’s improvement in form has coincided with the Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard rekindling their partnership in attack.
At the moment the team is playing and defending well as a team,” he added. “The partnership between Stevie and Fernando is working well for us.
“Of course Torres is really important for us. When he’s fit he’s a threat for all the defenders and that’s a boost for us.”
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