The circling speculation over Xabi Alonso

[donrafael]

Radio locally just announced Xabi has signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid.

Sure sign that Xabi wants to say goodbye today.

Having said that I have seen pre-contract deals go pear shaped in the past.

Xabi Alonso - YNWA

[The Invisible Man]

How can he sign a pre-contract? He has ages left on his Liverpool one.

Either he signs a full contract or not at all. Pre-contracts are for players nearing the end of their deals.

So has he signed for them, pending full confirmation on July 1st?

[Ra Ra Rafa]

He's signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid, it's possible as both clubs agree terms and then Xabi signs a pre-contract with the club, then finalises his contract on the 1st July.

If this is true then I hope him good luck...

[donrafael]

How can he sign a pre-contract? He has ages left on his Liverpool one.

Either he signs a full contract or not at all. Pre-contracts are for players nearing the end of their deals.

So has he signed for them, pending full confirmation on July 1st?

No idea mate of contractual implications of signing one of these (if he has signed one)... a very brief announcement on local Madrid radio about an hour ago.

It could be bullshit... but I would think there is a fair amount of truth in it.

His missus is from Madrid and there have been rumours of her wanting to raise their new born baby back home for some time now...

Smoke no fire? Doubt it... either way my thanks and gratitude goes out to Xabi.

[The Invisible Man]

Love Xabi to bits, but if he has his heart set on a move, he goes with my blessing - so long as we get a good fee.

But having said that, not sure I trust any media outlet in Madrid!

[pragmatic]

F***ing bollox is all Ive got to say about this pile of Hippo poo

[Ra Ra Rafa]

Love Xabi to bits, but if he has his heart set on a move, he goes with my blessing - so long as we get a good fee.

But having said that, not sure I trust any media outlet in Madrid!

We'll have to see. Wonder why Benitez was interested in Gareth Barry then...
If we do sell Alonso, I hope we can just promote Lucas and Plessis so we can spend the money on a more needed posisition...

[donrafael]

Love Xabi to bits, but if he has his heart set on a move, he goes with my blessing - so long as we get a good fee.

But having said that, not sure I trust any media outlet in Madrid!

Good point re Madrid media... but it's gone out on the airwaves, I have received a couple of texts and mails from other Reds in Madrid/Barcelona that have heard the same this very morning...

I imagine, if it is true, it has been leaked by Real and NOT Xabi or better said Xabi's agent.

Xabi Alonso - YNWA

[donrafael]

F***ing bollox is all Ive got to say about this pile of Hippo poo

Would you prefer me not to post what I hear with my own two ears... ?

Not being an expert on Hippo poo... not sure what you think is bollocks the "news" or me posting it up ...or both.

[liverpoolian34]

if its true, its not a good move for liverpool unless we sign a top class player as his replacemtn, and I think we wont

[JD]

I thought Alonso had 4 years left on his contract.  Not too sure how this all works but I have no reason to doubt your information don.

[crouchinho]

Here's hoping the reputation of Madrid's news saves Xabi from leaving us.

If he is gone then best wishes to him, tremendous technique and poise in his footy and one of the best passers I have seen.

YNWA Xabi.

How much you reckon we will get btw? Madrid do pay alot for their players so if we get less than 15 million I'll be pissed off to the max.

[Ra Ra Rafa]

To be honest if Xabi leaves us I don't think it'll be a big blow. He's been a underpar performer for the last two seasons and that is not acceptable. He's no Mascherano nor Gerrard so if he does leave I don't think we'll really miss him, but good luck to him if he decides to play his trade in sunny Spain!

[EddieC]

A pre-contract, as well as being something that's used for players nearing the end of their contract, is also what would be used if a deal was brokered between the two clubs now. It's only referred to as a pre-contract as the deal won't go through until the start of the transfer window, which would presumably also be the start date of the contract.

If this is true then I'll be very disappointed TBH, Xabi has had a bad season but I still think he's a hell of a player, and the most intelligent player we have in our squad. Who knows though, at the end of the day if we get 20 million for him (not unrealistic given the habit Real have of paying over the odds) and it turns out this bad season was the start of a serious loss of form then we will all be praising Rafa's judgement for sure.

[The Invisible Man]

To be honest if Xabi leaves us I don't think it'll be a big blow. He's been a underpar performer for the last two seasons and that is not acceptable.

Disagree. Injury plagued him this year, but we were doing well until he broke his foot. Then he comes back against Arsenal, and we're playing well and winning until he goes off injured. Cue Arsenal equaliser. Then he finally comes back and we end the season in style.

I agree he's not been *stellar*, but he's a very underrated player. Against Chelsea he covered more ground than any player on the pitch in BOTH games.

[Ra Ra Rafa]

Don't think he's our most intelligent player. I've seen far many players who boast so much more intelligence than he does, I think Lucas has more of a natural footballing intelligence than Xabi does. Sure Alonso can pick out some great long passes but I rarely see him making defense spiltting passes like many other midfielders can make.

Would be dissapointing to see him go but I don't think it'll cause us too much trouble, Lucas will get better and better!

[crouchinho]

Quite achiever you could say.

[Ra Ra Rafa]

Quite achiever you could say.

Do you mean quiet achiever? If so then I have to disagree. I think our quiet achiever is Javier Mascherano. He can tackle far better than Alonso can, he's quicker and stronger than Alonso and his passing is getting very good. If anything, Alonso's passing has been terrible by his own standards latley. Mascherano is starting to make those pin point passes that Alonso can do, and he has so much more in his locker.

Lucas Leiva looks like one who can playmake and make very clever short passing, something Xabi cannot do!

[Court LFC]

I'm taking this with a pinch of salt until officially something comes out from the club.

[crouchinho]

Masch gets praise upon praise for his performances but Xabi is seen as a player we wont miss. Going off that, ill disagree with your comment.