Real Madrid president Florentino Perez claims he is ready to walk away from his summer-long pursuit of Xabi Alonso – because Liverpool won’t play ball!
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has refused to budge from his £30million valuation of the Spanish international.
But that is way above Real’s estimation and Perez insists that despite his club’s massive outlay on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer, they will not pay over the odds for any remaining targets.
“Some people obviously thought that because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don’t correspond to reality,” he said.
“A year ago, certain players we’ve asked about would have cost less than half the price we’re being quoted now.
“If necessary, we’ll find the Spanish players we would like for the squad in our youth system.”
Then, in a strong message to Liverpool, Perez added: “We made huge attempts at the start to sign players who had won the Ballon d'Or or the World Footballer of the Year award.
“But the arrivals of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo have confused some people who obviously thought that, because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don't correspond to reality.”
Perez also suggested any deal for Alonso would be dependent on the club selling a number of their players deemed surplus to requirements.
He continued: “We brought in a lot of players, our prime objectives, at the start and now we have the absurd number of 29 players in our squad, when we can only register 25 for the league.
“It has been more difficult than we expected encouraging players to look at other options. At this point, for a player to arrive, at least one would have to leave.
“There is a financial element to that, but it is mainly a technical one. We cannot have so many players who would not have chance to play. It has to be one in, one out for us at the moment.”
Benitez is adamant he will not lower his asking price, and Alonso’s reluctance to publicly state his desire to quit Anfield has left the Reds holding all the aces during negotiations.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has refused to budge from his £30million valuation of the Spanish international.
But that is way above Real’s estimation and Perez insists that despite his club’s massive outlay on the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka this summer, they will not pay over the odds for any remaining targets.
“Some people obviously thought that because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don’t correspond to reality,” he said.
“A year ago, certain players we’ve asked about would have cost less than half the price we’re being quoted now.
“If necessary, we’ll find the Spanish players we would like for the squad in our youth system.”
Then, in a strong message to Liverpool, Perez added: “We made huge attempts at the start to sign players who had won the Ballon d'Or or the World Footballer of the Year award.
“But the arrivals of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo have confused some people who obviously thought that, because we said we wanted more Spanish players, they could ask for fees which don't correspond to reality.”
Perez also suggested any deal for Alonso would be dependent on the club selling a number of their players deemed surplus to requirements.
He continued: “We brought in a lot of players, our prime objectives, at the start and now we have the absurd number of 29 players in our squad, when we can only register 25 for the league.
“It has been more difficult than we expected encouraging players to look at other options. At this point, for a player to arrive, at least one would have to leave.
“There is a financial element to that, but it is mainly a technical one. We cannot have so many players who would not have chance to play. It has to be one in, one out for us at the moment.”
Benitez is adamant he will not lower his asking price, and Alonso’s reluctance to publicly state his desire to quit Anfield has left the Reds holding all the aces during negotiations.
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