Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has admitted
he is flattered to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Big-spending Real have been courting Alonso
all summer as they look to rebuild their squad after a
disappointing campaign last term.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema have already arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this
summer and Alonso is the next player in Real president Florentino Perez's sights.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is loath to lose Alonso as he looks to keep hold of his
best players for another assault on the Premier League title this
season.
Real are believed to be unwilling to meet Liverpool's current
valuation of Alonso, but they are refusing to give up their pursuit
of the midfield playmaker as they look to create a new team of
Galacticos.
Alonso admits he would be interested in joining Perez's
revolution, but insists he will not try and force the issue by
asking for a transfer.
"It's always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially
considering the phase of the career I am in now," Alonso told
AS.
"But at this point, as I have always said, whether or not that
can happen is not up to me. It's a matter that involves three
parties, including myself.
"I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk.
"Madrid's project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I
can't tell you anything else."
Alonso revealed he will hold talks with Benitez over his future
during Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Austria.
"I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I
arrive [in Austria] is to greet him," he commented.
"But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for
all that, even though in reality, there's nothing in particular to
talk to Rafa about. It's the clubs who have to negotiate to reach
an agreement."
Asked why Liverpool had rejected Real's initial overtures,
Alonso said: "I am not the man who can answer these questions.
"The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing
can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out
either because I am not a fortune teller."
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