Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a new bid for
Liverpool's Spanish midfield supremo Xabi Alonso - and bring his
strength and experience into his side.
Wenger sent top and trusted spy Steve Rowley to watch the Kop
ace in scoring action against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend ahead
of a £12 million move.
The Gunners chief regrets not signing Alonso last summer when
Liverpool refused to sell while they were chasing his replacement
Gareth Barry.
Now Wenger - alarmed by the occasional immaturity of his team -
is back on the case and with the cash backing to make one hugely
significant signing if Liverpool will play ball.
The only snag is that Alonso cannot play in the Champions
League, but Wenger's main worry is making the elite competition
next season by finishing in the top four and a hefty fee is worth
investing in that equation.
Alonso has been a big part of Liverpool's title push but Rafa
Benitez had admitted that he would still sign Barry from Aston
Villa if he had the money to do so.
Barry is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract and
although Villa say they are happy to let the season pass they could
now have new bids for the England star.
However Liverpool now face rivalry from newly-rich Manchester
City, with Mark Hughes keen to land Barry next month - and with the
money to outbid them in the market.
A massive tug-of-war is about to start with both Alonso and
Barry involved - as they were in the summer - but now with a third
club pulling in another direction.
