XABI ALONSO has told Rafa Benitez he wants to quit Anfield for Real Madrid.
But Liverpool will not grant his wish unless the Spanish giants come up with a fee in the region of £35m.
Alonso has stopped short of putting in an official written transfer request but he has made it clear to Benitez that his future lies
in La Liga rather than the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is due to join up with his Liverpool team-mates on Sunday after extended leave following his involvement in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, but Alonso and his agent Inaki Ibanez are hopeful that a deal can be thrashed out with Real before then.
But with Madrid reluctant to spend more than £27m for the Spanish international and Benitez adamant he will not allow Alonso to leave for that kind of figure, a compromise is some way off.
Alonso could try to force the issue by handing in an official transfer request but the midfielder believes he deserves to have his future sorted out without taking such formal measures after five years of service at the Reds.
Real’s public pursuit of Alonso is now becoming incessant with recently appointed manager Manuel Pellegrini the latest Bernabeu official to speak of the Liverpool man.
Pellegrini said: “He’s an important player as he has shown with the Spanish team.
“It’s no mystery that Real Madrid are interested in his services, but it will not be easy.”
Alonso still has three years of his Anfield contract remaining and Benitez knows there are precious few midfielders around of his quality and would have to re-shape his side if the Spanish international leaves.
But Liverpool will not grant his wish unless the Spanish giants come up with a fee in the region of £35m.
Alonso has stopped short of putting in an official written transfer request but he has made it clear to Benitez that his future lies
in La Liga rather than the Premier League.
The 27-year-old is due to join up with his Liverpool team-mates on Sunday after extended leave following his involvement in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, but Alonso and his agent Inaki Ibanez are hopeful that a deal can be thrashed out with Real before then.
But with Madrid reluctant to spend more than £27m for the Spanish international and Benitez adamant he will not allow Alonso to leave for that kind of figure, a compromise is some way off.
Alonso could try to force the issue by handing in an official transfer request but the midfielder believes he deserves to have his future sorted out without taking such formal measures after five years of service at the Reds.
Real’s public pursuit of Alonso is now becoming incessant with recently appointed manager Manuel Pellegrini the latest Bernabeu official to speak of the Liverpool man.
Pellegrini said: “He’s an important player as he has shown with the Spanish team.
“It’s no mystery that Real Madrid are interested in his services, but it will not be easy.”
Alonso still has three years of his Anfield contract remaining and Benitez knows there are precious few midfielders around of his quality and would have to re-shape his side if the Spanish international leaves.
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