Xabi Alonso (Arsenal)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/08/arsenal-in-new-swoop-for-liverpool-star-xabi-alonso-exclusive-115875-20954236/
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a new bid for Liverpool's Spanish midfield supremo Xabi Alonso - and bring his strength and experience into his side.

Wenger sent top and trusted spy Steve Rowley to watch the Kop ace in scoring action against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend ahead of a £12 million move.

The Gunners chief regrets not signing Alonso last summer when Liverpool refused to sell while they were chasing his replacement Gareth Barry.

Now Wenger - alarmed by the occasional immaturity of his team - is back on the case and with the cash backing to make one hugely significant signing if Liverpool will play ball.

The only snag is that Alonso cannot play in the Champions League, but Wenger's main worry is making the elite competition next season by finishing in the top four and a hefty fee is worth investing in that equation.

Alonso has been a big part of Liverpool's title push but Rafa Benitez had admitted that he would still sign Barry from Aston Villa if he had the money to do so.

Barry is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract and although Villa say they are happy to let the season pass they could now have new bids for the England star.

However Liverpool now face rivalry from newly-rich Manchester City, with Mark Hughes keen to land Barry next month - and with the money to outbid them in the market.

A massive tug-of-war is about to start with both Alonso and Barry involved - as they were in the summer - but now with a third club pulling in another direction.

                                                                                                                                                     
If this happens we will be screwed 'cos he is playing better than gerrard (after his injure). If rafa' decides to sell him he will make his worst decision in world football transfers. Sammy give a rafa an advice to give alonso a new contract. Hope this is not true. 

12 Million quid?
Wenger's been on the wacky backy.

I would not take less than 55+m for him end of story. I put a price tag not brcause i want to sell him but to fighthened the buying team.

if xabi is sold, you can say bye bye to number 19

just trying to say that Xabi is as important as Stevie, Jamie and Fernando

Xabi should not leave it would be stuppid for Rafa sell a player of such quality,he has played with such conviction since all the speculation of him leaving.KEEP XABI.i

Ahhh Wenger makes me laugh sometimes

if xabi is sold, you can say bye bye to number 19

just trying to say that Xabi is as important as Stevie, Jamie and Fernando

I strongly agree. He has been clearly one of if not THE best player for us this season. If we sold him it would be the worst decision of Rafa's life. Even the decision to have that awful beard is a better decision than selling Alonso.

I guess we'll see how Rafa fancies getting Barry. I'm strongly against it now. I called for Xabi to stay and give na more advanced role and its eventuated, now he is in the form of his life for us.

Voyeur, bidding starts at 35 million quid.

£12m, I just don't get the French sence of humor. My reply, "Nique ta m?re "
http://www.youswear.com/index.asp?language=French

Xabi will be going no where. He is back. Even Rafa said, why wold he go to a disorgised footbaling team, with great admiistration, when he has the opposite here.

£12m, I just don't get the French sence of humor. My reply, "Nique ta m?re "

Didn't need to translate it either!

poor Wenger is going a bit crazy in old age 12million! dont be silly

poor Wenger is going a bit crazy in old age 12million! dont be silly

 maybe if he became our assisstant manager and he brought walcott, clichy, vela, sagna, fabregas, welshere and adebayor then we MIGHT just THINK about it

maybe if he became our assisstant manager and he brought walcott, clichy, vela, sagna, fabregas, welshere and adebayor then we MIGHT just THINK about it

Why would we want all of those players? I just want Xabi!

Do one Wenger.

If Rafa let Xabi go after the season he's been having for us, I'll send Smigger down to Melwood to have a few words.

Wenger really is a stupid b***ard if he thinks that he can offer the same price that he did in the summer.

Perhaps he has failed to notice the fact that he is now playing the best football that he ever has for us. If Rafa even enters negotiations with them, then he really would need his head checking.

Hahaha  poor wenger.He offered 12mill.  last summer..Rafa and Liverpool said NO NO NO
   Do you think they will say yes today for that same  sum
   The price  has trippled and more now
 so look elswhere for your team Mr A.W
  Xabi is here to stay

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/08/arsenal-in-new-swoop-for-liverpool-star-xabi-alonso-exclusive-115875-20954236/
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is ready to make a new bid for Liverpool's Spanish midfield supremo Xabi Alonso - and bring his strength and experience into his side.

Wenger sent top and trusted spy Steve Rowley to watch the Kop ace in scoring action against Blackburn Rovers at the weekend ahead of a £12 million move.

The Gunners chief regrets not signing Alonso last summer when Liverpool refused to sell while they were chasing his replacement Gareth Barry.

Now Wenger - alarmed by the occasional immaturity of his team - is back on the case and with the cash backing to make one hugely significant signing if Liverpool will play ball.

The only snag is that Alonso cannot play in the Champions League, but Wenger's main worry is making the elite competition next season by finishing in the top four and a hefty fee is worth investing in that equation.

Alonso has been a big part of Liverpool's title push but Rafa Benitez had admitted that he would still sign Barry from Aston Villa if he had the money to do so.

Barry is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract and although Villa say they are happy to let the season pass they could now have new bids for the England star.

However Liverpool now face rivalry from newly-rich Manchester City, with Mark Hughes keen to land Barry next month - and with the money to outbid them in the market.

A massive tug-of-war is about to start with both Alonso and Barry involved - as they were in the summer - but now with a third club pulling in another direction.

Don't see any quotes from Wenger or Rafa...

Utterly over-the-top garbage trying to sell their rag.  : Look at the bit in bold, you'd think they'd sent F***ing James Bond to watch Alonso by flying into the stadium on a radar undetectable hanglider.

Honestly!  :

Do one Wenger.

If Rafa let Xabi go after the season he's been having for us, I'll send Smigger down to Melwood to have a few words.

I'd gladly do that Ken 

It's more media bullshit.

Alonso will not be leaving for Arsenal, especially seeing as he is in hot form and Arsenal are a rival so the talk of a January move is also out the question.

And for £12mill Juve offered more than that and it was deemed as not good enough and his value has shot up alot more since then.

I dont think he will leave in the summer either.

Should be going to Anfield and showing support for Xabi. Don't think Rafa would come on here and see this thread.

No Way the bearded menace Xabi leaving us for arsenal. Best of player of the season, IMO

Oh God No, give me 40million for him and i might think about it. But probably not.
He's been brilliant this season keeping Masch out of the side a fair bit.
Don't sell him please Rafa. (this story is probably sh*te anyway)

No way, i want this guy to play till his 34 here end his career here.
Really like this guy, one of kind.