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Xabi Alonso wants to quit Liverpool



Xabi Alonso has today told Rafa Benitez he wants to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid.

The news will come as a shock to Liverpool fans who expected Alonso resist Real's overtures and stay with The Reds.

Alonso has indicated to his manager that his future now lies in La Liga with Real, rather than
with Liverpool in The Premier League.

The 27 year old is due to meet up with his team mates on Sunday, after his involvement in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, but Alonso, and his agent Inaki Ibanez are hopeful a deal can be processed before then.

Alonso is just one of a number of players publicly courted by Real, following Florentino Perez's appointment as President last month.

Should Alonso join Real, he will join a host of world stars recruited already this summer. The signatures of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol have cost close to £200m.

However, there is one potential stumbling block. Real are only looking to offer around £27m for the midfielder, but Liverpool are holding out for £35m.

It is understood Alonso is reluctant to hand in a formal transfer request, but Benitez will not allow the player to leave without one.

Liverpool FC braced for improved Xabi Alonso bid from Real Madrid



LIVERPOOL are braced for an improved bid for Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid step up their pursuit of the midfielder.

The 27-year-old’s decision to put in a written transfer request will reluctantly force manager Rafa Benitez to do business with the Spanish club.

However, Alonso has been told he won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap with the Reds holding out for a fee of around £30million.

Benitez is keen to conclude the summer-long saga as he needs time to bolster his squad ahead of the new Premier League campaign which starts in a fortnight.

Real Madrid must now improve their initial £24million offer but the situation is complicated by the fact they insist they have to move players out to free up squad spaces before bringing anyone else in.

That could soon happen with Gabriel Heinze on his way to Marseille while Arjen Robben and Klaas Jan Huntelaar are also attracting interest.

Sources in Spain suggest Real are confident an agreement will finally be reached with the Reds over the fee and Alonso will put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence believes losing Alonso will be a major blow to the Reds.

“It will leave a massive hole,” he said. “Rafa will also have such a short time to try to replace him.''

Alonso’s departure will strengthen Benitez’s determination to hold on to Javier Mascherano.

The Argentina midfielder’s brother Sebastian has once again claimed he is keen on a move to Barcelona.

He said: “If Barcelona make a very good cash offer, I believe Javier may leave Liverpool as it would be the best for him and his family. But if there is no good offer, they will not let him go.”

Benitez recently said not even £50million would convince him to sell Mascherano.

The Reds boss has already raised around £8million from the sales of Alvaro Arbeloa, Sebastian Leto, Jack Hobbs and Paul Anderson this summer.

The sale of Alonso and Andrea Dossena’s expected switch to Napoli will push his transfer kitty beyond the £40million mark.

Liverpool’s players, including Alonso, returned to training yesterday ahead of Sunday’s friendly against Espanyol in Barcelona.

THE ECHO