Manchester City are ready to take advantage of an
Anfield feud to snatch midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Alonso has had an icy relationship with fellow Spaniard Rafa
Benitez, ever since Liverpool boss Benitez tried to sell him last
summer.
Now, the Mirror can reveal that Alonso heads the list of players
wanted by the super-rich Manchester club, and manager Mark Hughes
even placed him ahead of Gareth Barry as a target.
The City boss wants the pair to form the fulcrum of his
midfield, and he is ready to capitalise on a breakdown of the
relationship between Alonso and his boss to try to tempt him with a
£20million bid.
Alonso lost faith in Benitez when he tried to sell him behind
his back last summer, and when it seemed the same would happen at
the end of this season, he resolved to find himself another
club.
There has already been contact from Real Madrid, and while –
contrary to reports – there has yet to be a concrete bid from the
Bernabeu, it seems certain they will follow up interest with an
offer in the region of £18m.
But the politics at Anfield will prevent a swift conclusion to
any deal, and that will allow City the chance to tempt Alonso with
a massive deal.
After Benitez was heavily criticised for trying to sell Alonso
last summer, the player has been his most consistent performer.