Xabi Alonso (Real "we can tap up anybody" Madrid)

Spanish Giants turn attention from Arsenal to Liverpool

Real Madrid and Barcelona have given up their pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and have set their sights on luring Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso instead.

The Anfield midfielder nearly left the club last summer as Rafa Benitez chose to pursue Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry as a potential replacement. Juventus had a concrete bid rejected having failed to meet Liverpool’s asking price, and the player has since flourished, emerging as one of their key players.

Alonso’s ever improving form has alerted Spanish juggernauts Barcelona and Real Madrid, and with the latter soon to experience Presidential elections Alonso has seen his name emerge a potential big money signing at the Bernabeu.

Pep Guardiola had initially targeted Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas as the final piece in an increasingly potent jigsaw, but Arsenal’s unwillingness to sell means the Catalan giants will make Alonso their number one transfer target.

The baying queue of European clubs after Alonso’s signature has led Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to issue a hands off warning.

The former Valencia coach said: “Xabi is having a good season and is a key player. He’s a player we want to keep

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/18036/Spanish_Giants_turn_attention_from_Arsenal_to_Liverpool_.aspx

I will cry if he goes, he has defintely being our player of the year.

He won't be going.

What disturbs me more is why Barca would rather have Fabregas than Xabi, when Xabi is clearly the better of the two?

Xabi should not even think of leaving the best club in the WORLD and the club should not even consider any offers for him.

Xabi will not leave. If he does it will leave a massive gap and we will NOT be able to replace him with anyone as good.
We would be taking a step backwards if we sold Xabi.

i want see Xabi retire together with Gerrard at Liverpool!

Great news for all liverpool fans:

Rafa Benitez has spoken of his desire to keep Xabi Alonso at Anfield this summer.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine season after speculation about his future following Spain's Euro 2008 triumph.
 
Benitez said: "The first year was really good and this year he is also playing really well.
 
"Xabi has been having a very good season; he has been playing well in a lot of games and is a key player for us.
 
"We have a lot of confidence in him because he is playing really well and he is a player we want to keep because he has the quality, and the game, that we need."

Xabi's not going anywhere.

Xabi is staying right where he is

i reckon xabi is one of the few spainish players in our squad that would of stayed longer than another season had, god forbib, rafa left. Top player imo.

Bidding starts at Messi. No? Shame.

Xabi is like a Scouse and we need players like this.

i really hope he does not leave

He won't leave after such an amazing season, he's a genuine gun and shouldn't leave.

Well, Real and Barca, about time you F**k off now!

Call me paranoid but Rafa said 'We want to keep'

This isn't quite 'He's going nowhere.'

Hope he stays.

IMO We're fu**ed if Xabi Alonso leaves.

Why couldnt you have voted Lucas as player of the season?

Todays Mirror

Juventus in new move to take Xabi Alonso from Liverpool

Juventus will return with a fresh bid for Xabi Alonso - encouraged by Liverpool's need to sell before buying.
Rafa Benitez has England star Gareth Barry among his prime targets again when the transfer window opens.
The Anfield club were set to sell Spaniard Alonso last summer to finance the Barry deal, which eventually collapsed over Aston Villa's £17million asking price.

Juventus came so close to signing Alonso, who could command a fee as high as £15m, but then had to take the cheaper option of Seville's Christian Poulsen - a move which has flopped.
Agent Ernesto Bronzetti, Juve's Mr Fixit, confirmed last night: "I will try and bring in Alonso for the Juventus central midfield.
"There was a long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it is a road we know. Pairing him with Momo Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield."

Alonso has been one of Liverpool's stars this term, but the hangover lingers from Benitez's willingness to previously sell him.
Steven Gerrard's injury hell has helped Yossi Benayoun secure his Anfield future.
Benitez said: "I have to talk to Yossi about a new contract.
Since Stevie was injured, he has played more and you can see his confidence growing."

This story also appears in todays Daily Post, now whilst I would normally dismiss out of hand such speculation Rafa had only days earlier stated he will have to sell players, maybe that doesnt include Alonso but he is supposedly still intrested in Barry so I wonder if Xabi now features in Rafas future plans or will he be cashed in on? I for one hope Xabi stays and we add more quality to the squad.

The same story in the Post

Daily Post

I hope he does'nt get sold,he has been brilliant this season and he is a much better player than gareth barry.

What he has done so far underlines the character of the player. He did his thing amidst of a the tribulations and speculations of him moving out. If he can play so well against it all, what about with all the conditions being addressed? A disaster he would be on opponents. Frankly I could take another Alonso debacle, as I would want to see more of the same next season with a even a better goal ratio.

Xabi your simply Xabilocious! Xabtastic!

Juventus again i see, wasn't long ago they were saying he was too slow.

They had the chance to get him last summer but weren't prepared to pay the fee, they have missed there chance because Xabi is without doubt staying after being our best player this season.

If anything his fee has gone up. Ranieri has been confirmed as their manager for next season. He was saying he is too slow after they missed out on him last summer.

Hope to God he stays put. One of if not my favourite player at the moment.

I think Rafa will stick with Xabi for another season...!
The big debate about Gareth Barry taking his place to me is a no go..!

 I think Xabi is tens times a better player than Barry with his long balls. It will be like the whole Keane hype again.. papers and people will big him up and when he gets the shirt on will be a big flop just as Keane was to us...What a waste of money he was.

I say Xabi has made a few blunders and may have had a unsettled season but he has been a steady option for us when Gerrard is out..!