Chelsea have joined the race to sign Spanish midfielder Xabi
Alonso.
The Blues will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in an
£18million battle for the Liverpool star. The future of Alonso, 27,
has been the subject of intense speculation since the end of the
season. He cast further doubt about where he will be playing next
season during the Confederations Cup tournament in South
Africa.
Alonso was non-committal about his plans – the broadest hint yet
that he is on his way out of Liverpool, who are also battling to
keep Argentine international Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano is wanted by Barcelona – and sources in Spain last
night suggested that if he did join the European champions,
Manchester United would move for Barca’s versatile Yaya Toure.
Chelsea have also been alerted to Alonso’s unrest and he is a
player who is admired by new manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian
is aware Chelsea need to bring down the average age of their
midfield.
Frank Lampard was 31 yesterday and Michael Ballack will be 33 in
September.
Temporary manager Guus Hiddink said before he left his stand-in
role in May that Chelsea needed to inject younger players into
their squad – and Alonso would fit the bill perfectly.
He arrived at Anfield five years ago from Real Sociedad for
£10.5m and has established himself as a key member of the
first-team squad under Rafa Benitez. But his relationship with the
manager became increasingly frosty last season and it now looks
likely that he will be on his way out of Liverpool this summer.
Real would love to bring him back to Spain. It is appreciated at
the Bernabeu that while Real will have an unstoppable strike force
with the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and possibly Franck
Ribery, there is also the need for more stability in central
midfield.
Alonso would bring that balance. He has developed into a
highly-rated part of the Spain outfit who have the No.1 ranking in
the world following their success in Euro 2008 a year ago in
Austria and Switzerland.
Alonso is certain to be an integral part of Vincente del
Bosque’s plans for the World Cup finals in South Africa next
summer. But it has also been recognised at Chelsea that Alonso has
adapted well into life in the Premier League and he speaks perfect
English.
His style would also suit Ancelotti and he could now become the
former Milan manager’s first major signing at Stamford Bridge.
