Real admit Alonso’s staying at Anfield

Real Madrid director-general Jorge Valdano has admitted defeat in the Spanish giants’ pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The La Liga outfit have been linked with a move to take Alonso to the Bernabeu Stadium as part of the club’s new ‘˜galacticos’ era which has seen them sign Brazilian ace Kaka and are on the verge of signing Portgual’s Christiano Ronaldo.

Speaking to Spanish football web site, Marca, Valdano said, “We have publicly tried to sign Xabi Alonso again this summer, as we did a few years ago when he was at Real Sociedad.

“It has proven very difficult once again this summer as he is regarded as such a valuable player by his teams.

“He won’t be coming to Real Madrid.”

Valdano added that he also expects to fail in the signing of Valencia striker David Villa, who this morning Fernando Torres urged Rafa Benitez to sign at Liverpool.