Liverpool look to have won the battle to keep Xabi Alonso at Anfield after reports today suggest Real Madrid have been priced out of their attempts to sign the midfielder.
It is understood that Rafa Benitez would accept no less than £35million for Alonso, and now it looks like the La Liga side have turned the attentions elsewhere.
Real are reportedly now preparing a bid for Roma midfielder Daniele de Rossi as a cheaper alternative to Alonso.
Only yesterday, Real director-general Jorge Valdano hinted that this may be the case. He said, “Xabi Alonso is a priority if he fits into our budget, but that does not seem to be the case. We are very far away from the figures that Liverpool have presented.”
The Daily Mail reports this morning:
Madrid have now made a £26million move for Roma midfielder De Rossi, according to reports in Spain.
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague also posted about the Spanish international on his blog this morning, saying, ‘œIt is true that Real Madrid are getting a little impatient wit the situation and they would like to find a solution as soon as possible ‘“ not only with Xabi Alonso but they would like all of their transfer activity complete before pre-season in around two weeks time.’
However Balague also suggested that if Alonso stays on Merseyside, his heart may not be in the team anymore as he claims he was looking for a way out.
Balague continued, ‘œUnder entirely normal circumstances, when there are healthy relationships between player, manager, agent etc ‘“ everything would be fairly straightforward and concluded with the minimum of fuss. However, it appears that nobody is willing to make compromises or make concessions and the situation seems to be in stalemate. The danger is that Real Madrid will run out of patience and focus their attention on other targets (the Spanish newspaper Marca is reporting that De Rossi of Roma is already being lined up as an alternative). If that were to happen, and Xabi ends up staying at Liverpool ‘“ I have to ask how healthy that would be for the relationship between manager and player at Anfield, and how motivated will Xabi be next season?’
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