Liverpool have reached an agreement to sell
midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, subject to a
medical.
The fee for the Spanish international is reported to be
in the region of £30m but
Liverpool said the terms of the deal would remain confidential.
The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in
August 2004.
A statement on Real's website confirmed the news and
added that Alonso will arrive in Madrid on Wednesday "to undergo
the required medical".
If the deal goes through Alonso will become the second
Liverpool player to join the Spanish giants after full-back Alvaro
Arbeloa's switch to the Bernabeu last week.
Real, under the guidance of returning president
Florentino Perez, have embarked on an ambitious rebuilding
programme this summer and Alonso's arrival will push their spending
beyond the £200m mark.
Cristiano Ronaldo arrived from Manchester United in a world
record £80m deal, Brazilian playmaker Kaka was bought from AC Milan
for £56m and they have also spent £30m to sign France striker Karim
Benzema from Lyon.
In addition defender Raul Albiol was signed from Valencia as
Real looked to build a squad capable of challenging for honours at
both home and abroad.
Rivals Barcelona completed a clean-sweep of domestic trophies in
Spain last season, while Real have failed to progress beyond the
last 16 of the Champions League for the past five seasons.
When the deal for Alonso is completed it will bring to an end
Real's long pursuit of the Spanish international.
In July Real sporting director Miguel Pardeza was quoted as
saying "Madrid don't discard an option until it is truly
impossible", after reports suggested Liverpool wanted £50m for the
midfielder.
It is believed Real returned with an offer of £30m that could
rise to £34m depending on Alonso's success in Spain.
He will join former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek at the
Bernabeu, leaving only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher from
Liverpool's 18-man squad that won the Champions League in 2005.
Alonso and Dudek were both part of the side that dramatically
fought back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the trophy in a
penalty shoot-out, Alonso scoring Liverpool's third and equalising
goal on 59 minutes.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had tried to sell the Spanish
international last summer as he looked to fund a move for
midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.
However, Alonso did not want to move and a deal for Barry
eventually fell through, with Alonso going on to play a key role as
Liverpool finished second in the Premier League.