Friday, April 17, 2009

Spanish Giants Turn Attention From Arsenal To Liverpool


Real Madrid and Barcelona have given up their pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and have set their sights on luring Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso instead.

The Anfield midfielder nearly left the club last summer as Rafa Benitez chose to pursue Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry as a potential replacement. Juventus had a concrete bid rejected having failed to meet Liverpool’s asking price, and the player has since flourished, emerging as one of their key players.

Alonso’s ever improving form has alerted Spanish juggernauts Barcelona and Real Madrid, and with the latter soon to experience Presidential elections Alonso has seen his name emerge a potential big money signing at the Bernabeu.

Pep Guardiola had initially targeted Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas as the final piece in an increasingly potent jigsaw, but Arsenal’s unwillingness to sell means the Catalan giants will make Alonso their number one transfer target.

The baying queue of European clubs after Alonso’s signature has led Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to issue a hands off warning.

The former Valencia coach said: “Xabi is having a good season and is a key player. He’s a player we want to keep.”

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