Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez last week issued a hands-off warning to any potential suitors looking to snap up Xabi Alonso, declaring that the Spanish international is no longer on the market.
But according to The Daily Telegraph, Real Madrid, and in particular their potential future president, Florentino Perez, have continued to pursue the 27-year-old, as the English broadsheet is adamant that the ex-supremo, should he return to power, will be eager to see the Reds midfielder link up with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.
The Telegraph is also unconvinced that Benitez will turn down an offer if a substantial bid comes along, as he has been handed limited transfer funds for this summer. It has been reported that Liverpool's American owners, George Gillet and Tom Hicks, will only free up €35 million for squad reinforcements and the Madrid-born gaffer would have to sell if he requires more to spend.
It is believed that Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena, Charles Itandje and Phillip Degen will all be offloaded, but the only way for Rafa to inject a massive cash-boost to the transfer kitty is to part with the in-form Alonso.
Last summer, Liverpool shot down an approach from Juventus for the Basque midfielder after the Italians failed to meet the Merseysiders’ near-€20 million asking price. A similar bid, if not higher, is expected of Madrid if they wish to acquire the ex-Real Sociedad man.
But according to The Daily Telegraph, Real Madrid, and in particular their potential future president, Florentino Perez, have continued to pursue the 27-year-old, as the English broadsheet is adamant that the ex-supremo, should he return to power, will be eager to see the Reds midfielder link up with Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.
The Telegraph is also unconvinced that Benitez will turn down an offer if a substantial bid comes along, as he has been handed limited transfer funds for this summer. It has been reported that Liverpool's American owners, George Gillet and Tom Hicks, will only free up €35 million for squad reinforcements and the Madrid-born gaffer would have to sell if he requires more to spend.
It is believed that Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena, Charles Itandje and Phillip Degen will all be offloaded, but the only way for Rafa to inject a massive cash-boost to the transfer kitty is to part with the in-form Alonso.
Last summer, Liverpool shot down an approach from Juventus for the Basque midfielder after the Italians failed to meet the Merseysiders’ near-€20 million asking price. A similar bid, if not higher, is expected of Madrid if they wish to acquire the ex-Real Sociedad man.
No comments:
Post a Comment