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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1203098/Xabi-Alonso-way-Liverpool--Rafa-wants-Lee-Cattermole-replace-him.htmlHull are equally determined to hold on to Turner and manager Phil Brown insisted last night that they would listen only to a 'ridiculous' offer for the centre back.
Benitez will test their resolve with a bid of £5.5m for a player who has attracted interest among Barclays Premier League clubs since helping Hull win promotion to the top flight last year. Tottenham, Fulham and Everton are all known admirers of the 25-year-old.
Brown said: 'Michael is knocking on the door of the England set-up and when you play like that you are going to attract attention. It would be difficult to hang on to him if a ridiculous bid came in, but as we stand, no bids are on the table.'
Benitez saw Arbeloa return to Madrid - where he was on Real's books as a youngster - and he has agreed a five-year deal.
Real's former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek welcomed Arbeloa's signing and expressed hope that he would soon be joined by Alonso.
'He (Alonso) has a lot of quality and is also a great person off the pitch,' said Dudek. 'I hope that he comes, although it is not easy to negotiate with Rafa Benitez.'
Liverpool have made a small profit on the deal for Arbeloa, who joined them in January 2007 from Deportivo La Coruna for £2.6m.
However, Andrea Dossena's move to Napoli has been held up over a wages dispute. The 27-year-old left back, who signed for Liverpool from Udinese in a £7m switch a year ago, is keen on a return to his homeland and Benitez has made it clear he will not stand in his way by agreeing a cut-price deal of £4.5m.
But Napoli's director of sport Pierpaolo Marino yesterday admitted there was deadlock over personal terms. 'We have taken a break in order to reflect on this,' said Marino. 'The move is on hold. There are no immediate prospects.
'The president has spoken to Rafael Benitez and there is some distance between us and the player. But I wouldn't worry too much.'
It is possible Spurs may hijack the deal if no agreement is reached.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1203098/Xabi-Alonso-way-Liverpool--Rafa-wants-Lee-Cattermole-replace-him.html#ixzz0MjmWTxT9
« Last Edit: Jul 30, 2009 12:42:33 pm by crouchinho, Reason: His first name is in the article ::) »
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