Xabi Alonso has reportedly told his agent he wants his future resolved by July 19.
The Liverpool midfielder, who has been on international duty with Spain at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, met his representative Inaki Ibanez immediately after flying back to Madrid yesterday.
Real Madrid hope to sign the 27-year-old, but face a determined effort by Anfield boss Rafael Benitez to keep him.
Alonso went straight to lunch with Ibanez at Madrid's Hotel Melia Barajas after getting off a 10-hour flight from Johannesburg.
The former Real Sociedad player is said to be keen on a move to the Bernabeu and, after the meeting, told Spanish newspaper AS: 'I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate.'
Alonso insisted in a separate interview that the transfer 'was not impossible', though the two clubs are some distance apart on a fee.
Madrid are considering a £55million combined bid for Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa, but are prepared to negotiate players separately as Liverpool are unlikely to even contemplate losing both Alonso and Mascherano.
In a bid to scare off suitors, Benitez has quoted a price-tag of £50m for Alonso, but sources in Spain say the actual valuation coming out of Merseyside is £35m.
Madrid have bid £20m and are reluctant to go above £25m.
However, if Alonso forces the matter, the two sides could quickly converge. Liverpool report for pre-season training on July 6 but Alonso will be given extra time off because of his Spain duty.
He has already moved on to San Sebastian to start vacations but is apparently due to join up with Liverpool on July 19 ahead of their Asia tour.
AS say Alonso is keen for a resolution before then so that he can search for a new home in the Spanish capital.
The Liverpool midfielder, who has been on international duty with Spain at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, met his representative Inaki Ibanez immediately after flying back to Madrid yesterday.
Real Madrid hope to sign the 27-year-old, but face a determined effort by Anfield boss Rafael Benitez to keep him.
Alonso went straight to lunch with Ibanez at Madrid's Hotel Melia Barajas after getting off a 10-hour flight from Johannesburg.
The former Real Sociedad player is said to be keen on a move to the Bernabeu and, after the meeting, told Spanish newspaper AS: 'I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate.'
Alonso insisted in a separate interview that the transfer 'was not impossible', though the two clubs are some distance apart on a fee.
Madrid are considering a £55million combined bid for Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa, but are prepared to negotiate players separately as Liverpool are unlikely to even contemplate losing both Alonso and Mascherano.
In a bid to scare off suitors, Benitez has quoted a price-tag of £50m for Alonso, but sources in Spain say the actual valuation coming out of Merseyside is £35m.
Madrid have bid £20m and are reluctant to go above £25m.
However, if Alonso forces the matter, the two sides could quickly converge. Liverpool report for pre-season training on July 6 but Alonso will be given extra time off because of his Spain duty.
He has already moved on to San Sebastian to start vacations but is apparently due to join up with Liverpool on July 19 ahead of their Asia tour.
AS say Alonso is keen for a resolution before then so that he can search for a new home in the Spanish capital.
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