Liverpool's Xabi Alonso a target for Arsenal manager Arsene Wengerhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/3934679/Liverpools-Xabi-Alonso-a-target-for-Arsenal-manager-Arsene-Wenger.htmlThe injury to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has prompted manager Arsene Wenger to renew his interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Fabregas is likely to be out for four months with knee ligament damage, ironically the result of a tackle with Alonso during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Arsenal reportedly made a £14 million deadline-day bid for the Spaniard in August but Wenger refused to meet the Anfield club's valuation of £17m.
Wenger is notoriously loath to spend unnecessarily so this latest news seems to confirm Arsenal’s need to strengthen their midfield, especially now that Fabregas is out for so long.
A source close to the Arsenal board blamed the club's failure to land Alonso in August on the delay in naming a successor to David Dein, who departed as chief executive last year.
New chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who will formally join Arsenal on Jan 1st, will bring with some much-needed experience in player contract negotiations from America.
The source said: “Hopefully Gazidis can come in and recognise that Wenger needs someone like Dein in his ear to reassure him that the money is there to spend.”
Inaki Ibanez, Alonso's agent,
had previously insisted his client would leave Liverpool in the summer after becoming frustrated with a lack of first-team football, having only a year earlier signed a deal to stay until 2012. The speculation surrounding Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry’s move to the club further unsettled the Spaniard.
Subsequently, however, Alonso has become a key part of a Rafael Benitez side currently topping the Premier League.
Should Liverpool wish to sell, the potential transfer price may be lowered as Alonso would be cup-tied in Europe having played in the Champions League.
Other Arsenal targets include Yaya Toure, the Barcelona midfielder, Juventus youngster Sebastian Giovinco and Stephane Mbia, of Rennes and AC Milan striker Alexandre PatoIf rafa sell him in janurary, he will lose the league without a doubt. he is our best player this year. this is all media sh*t.