Kaka Wants Alonso At Madrid

New Real Madrid star Kaka would like to see Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso become the latest recruit for the Spanish giants.

The Primera Liga side have already captured Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul Albiol, while an offer for Lyon's Karim Benzema has been accepted in a phenomenal summer of lavish spending.

Alonso is a target and Real have made no secret of their admiration for the former Real Sociedad player, with reports of a bid in the region of £30million being prepared for later in July.

The 27-year-old's future is unclear after a rumoured bust-up with boss Rafa Benitez and, after playing against the Reds with ex-club AC Milan in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals, Kaka believes the Spaniard would be a good addition.

"I've played against him in two European Cup finals," Kaka told Spanish media when asked about Alonso.

"He is an excellent player and Spanish so he would be very welcome."

Reds To Loan Out Defender

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are ready to loan out young defender Robbie Threlfall before the start of the season.

The 20-year-old, who has come through the youth ranks at Liverpool, is highly-regarded by the coaching staff at Anfield.

Threlfall has enjoyed loan spells at Hereford and Stockport in the last few seasons and Liverpool are willing to farm him out again so that he can continue his development.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is keen to send him out on loan as he continues his policy of farming out his best young players so that they can regular first-team action under their belts.

The Reds have made the talented left-back available for loan and the news has alerted a number of clubs north and south of the border.

Liverpool Promise Real Madrid Xabi Alonso Talks Will Begin Soon

Real Madrid will finally be granted a fair opportunity to negotiate with Liverpool for the transfer of Xabi Alonso.

According to AS, the Anfield outfit’s new managing director, Christian Purslow, has told his counterpart in the Spanish capital, Jorge Valdano, to give him a few days before opening formal discussions as he first wants to undertake an extensive revision of the club’s accounts to determine their economic situation and set an appropriate asking price for the midfielder.

Rafael Benitez has previously insisted that the 27-year-old would not be going anywhere for less than €40 million, a figure that the 'White House' would not even consider, but Italian newspaper Tuttosport speculated yesterday that the Reds would accept a €32m bid from Madrid.

The Spanish sports daily, on the other hand, believes that Purslow, who has been appointed as Liverpool’s chief negotiator in all transfer matters, could settle for a €35 million deal with full-back Alvaro Arbeloa included in the agreement.

Los Blancos are reportedly keeping in close contact with Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, while Valdano is said to have already begun working on a contractual agreement for the Basque-born midfielder.

Liverpool Prepared To Sell Mascherano To Barcelona At The Right Price

Barcelona are ready to bid for Javier Mascherano, having been told by Liverpool that they would consider a sale at the right place.

The Blaugrana have been chasing Mascherano for some time, but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had been adamant in his refusal to let the player go. However, according to El Mundo Deportivo, he appears to have conceded that Mascherano has his heart set on a move to the Camp Nou, and is willing to sanction a sale.

Now, The Independent is reporting that Barca have prepared a €29 million bid for the midfielder, a figure that would represent that vast majority of their reported transfer budget. Rafael Benitez had previously set a €58 million asking price on Mascherano's head, but he is prepared to compromise.

However, any deal could hinge on whether Xabi Alonso seals his proposed move to Real Madrid. Alonso and Mascherano are both key components of Liverpool's midfield, and Benitez would be loath to lose both of them at once.

Mascherano has represented Liverpool 79 times during his time at Anfield, and is currently Argentina's captain. Barca are desperate for midfield reinforcements ahead of next season, as Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita are set to to miss a month of an already gruelling campaign due to the African Nations Cup.

Ezequiel Lavezzi Expected Back At Napoli Training After Failing To Secure Liverpool Move

Napoli coach Roberto Donadoni expects unsettled Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi to turn up for pre-season training next week.

Lavezzi's demands for an improved contract were rejected by the Naples outfit and he has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer.

But, when asked about Lavezzi, Donadoni said: "The club and I think, hope and are convinced that Lavezzi will be in Austria with the team on July 10 (for pre-season training).

"I have no reason to think otherwise. Lavezzi is a good lad, who has understood the situation and I am counting on him for next season."

Last month, Lavezzi's agent claimed Napoli refused to enter negotiations with Liverpool over the possible transfer of the 24-year-old to Merseyside. He has also been linked with Manchester City and Chelsea in recent months.

Lavezzi, who joined Napoli from San Lorenzo in summer 2007, scored seven Serie A goals last season.

Liverpool Interested In D'Agostino, Juventus Are In Pole Position - Udinese Director

According to Udinese sporting director Sergio Gasperin, Liverpool are keeping an eye on midfielder Gaetano D'Agostino, but he is still likely to sign for Juventus.

"I can confirm the interest of the foreign club [Liverpool], but these are only inquiries, there is nothing concrete," he told tuttomercatoweb.

However, he was quick to point out that the Bianconeri still had the upper hand in negotiations for the player.

"Juventus is absolutely still in pole position and the deal could pick up again in the next few hours. We are working on the economic aspects," he continued.

"Udinese want €18 million, while Juventus have bid €15m, so the difference has been made up and there is optimism among the parties involved."

Previously, it was believed that Juventus had only offered €12m, thus causing negotiations to break down.

D'Agostino had a breakout season at the Stadio Friuli, scoring 11 goals and grabbing eight assists in Serie A in 2008-09. He also earned his first cap for the Italian national team, playing in a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in early June.

Liverpool Add Celta Vigo Pair To Backroom Staff

Liverpool have signed two Celta Vigo coaches to join their backroom staff at Anfield this season.

Eduardo Parra Garcia will take up a role as a fitness coach at the club, while Ivan Ortega assumes the position of sports therapist.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.tv, the pair were delighted with their move to Merseyside.

"It's a dream come true for me to come and work with Rafa Benitez and the backroom staff at Liverpool FC," Parra Garcia told the club's official website.

"I know all about Liverpool, the history, the passion of its amazing fans and of course the quality of its great players. I am really excited about working here."

Ortega added, "I am thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to work in such a fantastic Club. Everyone knows Liverpool in Spain and around the world.

"Although it's a new country and a new environment for me, I can't wait to get started."

Javier Mascherano Backs Emiliano Insua To Succeed At Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano thinks that another Argentine at the club is bound for big things, with the midfielder opining that left-back Emiliano Insua will get better as he gets older.

The 20-year-old defender managed 13 senior appearances for the Reds last season, despite facing competition for his shirt from Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena.

"He's been doing well," Mascherano told LFC Magazine. "Obviously he is a young player so can still improve and get better.

"It isn't easy to be playing for the Liverpool first team at just 20-years-old. I'm really happy for him.

"Emiliano didn't play first-team football in Argentina, so to come here at such a young age and make the breakthrough is a great achievement."

And Mascherano feels that the lack of first team experience in his native land could have proved problematic for Insua, and it is further testimony to the player's talents that he has slotted in so well.

"It would have been easier for him had he played first-team football in Argentina. Everything was new to Insua when he came here," the midfielder added.

"But after just two years he is playing really well whenever he gets into the first team."