NOW I'M POINTING THE WAY: Liverpool's Alonso is
wanted by Real Madrid
XABI ALONSO has refused to pledge his future
to Liverpool, leaving Rafa Benitez battling to
stop the heart being torn from his title contenders.
After Javier Mascherano’s agent held two hours of talks
with Barcelona on Wednesday, Benitez found Alonso fuelling Real
Madrid’s interest by passing up the chance to clarify his
plans.
Midfielder Alonso is one of the next targets on Real
president Florentino Perez’s hitlist and sought to remain
tight-lipped when asked if he would be disappointed to still be at
Anfield next term.
“I cannot answer that,” said a smiling Alonso after
Spain’s 1-0 Confederations Cup win over Iraq. “I have already said
everything.”
Alonso’s relationship with Benitez became strained last
summer when Liverpool tried to sell him behind his back to fund a
move for Gareth Barry, and his careful response marks out the
battle lines for what promises to be an acrimonious stand-off.
Benitez, who is set to announce the £18million capture
of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth after the player passed a medical
yesterday, has stated that neither Alonso or Mascherano are for
sale and believes he is sitting in a strong position with both
players tied to the club until 2012 under the terms of their
contracts.
MASCHERANO: In a Barca bid
While he believes he would be capable of
managing two potentially unhappy players next term, Benitez is also
a realist who would give consideration to what would have to amount
to head-turning offers for the duo.
The riches currently at Real’s disposal, together with
the breakdown in relations between Alonso and Benitez, make them
more likely to come up with an offer capable of altering
Liverpool’s present stance.
Perez is working on trying to secure David Villa’s
signature to join that of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, but sources
in Spain indicate a deal has been unofficially struck with
Alonso.
Benitez would be looking for a fee in the region of
£30m for a player valued at £16m just 12 months ago. Mascherano has
already seen Liverpool place a £50m price-tag on his head, although
that did not deter agent Walter Tamer holding talks with
Barcelona.
Whether the Spaniards can come up with the necessary
cash remains doubtful. After last season’s encouraging title
challenge, the prospect of Alonso and Mascherano leaving Anfield
does not bear thinking about for Liverpool supporters.
Winger Albert Riera says Liverpool’s most important
moves in the transfer market could be in ensuring the spine of the
team remains intact.
Alvaro Arbeloa is also being pursued by Real and Riera
said: “It’s important Liverpool keep all their players because you
could see this year that every player was needed.”
David Moores resigned from Liverpool’s board yesterday
after becoming disallusioned with how the club is being run.
It was Moores who sold out to Americans George Gillett
and Tom Hicks in 2007 – a decision he has been left to rue given
their unpopularity. Moores will retain his position as
honorary life president.
BENITEZ: Ready to fight
