Xabi Alonso (L'Arsenal)

Source

ARSENE WENGER is on the verge of signing Liverpool outcast Xabi Alonso.
Wenger has turned to the £16m-rated Spaniard to provide the experience lacking in his young midfield at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal manager moved for Alonso after admitting defeat in his late bid to tempt Gareth Barry away from the clutches of Rafa Benitez.

He has already moved swiftly to make contact with the Reds and expects to tie up a cut-price deal within days.

Alonso is valued highly at Anfield but Arsenal expect them to do business for nearer £12m as they need funds to buy Barry from Aston Villa.

Wenger was keeping his cards close to his chest last night, but sources in Liverppool suggest the deal is all but done.

Wenger said: “I don’t know if Gareth Barry will leave Aston Villa. At the moment I am not on this case. I like Gareth Barry – and I like two or three other players. I don’t speak about names.”

Alonso is surplus to requirements at Anfield despite winning Euro 2008 with Spain.

He even held talks with Juventus earlier this summer.

But the Gunners are now in pole position to land the 26-year-old as a replacement for Mathieu Flamini, who quit to join AC Milan.

Wenger had said Abou Diaby would play the holding role this season.

But the Arsenal boss now wants a more experienced player in there to lead his youngsters after selling Gilberto Silva to the Greek side Panathinaikos.

The prospect of Alonso moving to Arsenal and teaming up with Cesc Fabregas will horrify Liverpool fans.

They warmly received the Spanish international when he scored from the penalty spot in the win over Rangers at Ibrox at the weekend.

Benitez is prepared to sell the player, but admitted that the price tag which has already scared off Juventus, could be a problem for clubs.

“Xabi is a very good player,” he said. “It will not be easy to sell because the value of Alonso in the market will be really high.

“We are pleased because we don’t want Alonso to go unless we get a very good price.”

Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri, when asked if there was still a chance of signing Alonso, said: “No. Not at all.”
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We shouldn't sell him to another rival for teh title I don't think, Juve, maybe because he can't play us that much, but not to a domestic rival, let alone a fellow title challenger

WTF. rafa did you forget when ferg. didnt sell us heinze 'cos we are thier rivals therefore from that example we must not sell alonso to any other english club!!!! Why rafa???

Ridiculous and madness if true

The lengths we go to secure Barry. If he is a flop, i would be down right F***ing pissed off. Not only this, why boost Arsenal's chances?!?!?

I dont think it will happen but i have a few walls that are prepared to be punched should the deal go through.

If Alonso is sold, i would be furious if he was sold to a rival. In fact i would be even more furious if we sold him in the first place. He must not be sold!

If Alonso is sold, I would be furious if he was sold to a rival. In fact I would be even more furious if we sold him in the first place. He must not be sold!

i agree he is a class player much better than barry but i think rafa will go ahead with the deal thoug

This is getting stupid. First they are saying rafa wants to keep him now this. Dont believe it in the slightest, arsenal dont even have enough money for him.

Ridiculous and madness if true

Completely agree.  I'm pretty worried by this to be honest.

Well pissed off if this happens     Xabi is worth 10 of Barry.

I hope Barry has diamonds up his ass or something after all this. 

Seems like this is just more media garbage!!!

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3906412,00.html

It just goes to show how messed up this whole Alonso, Barry saga is now even Wenger would rather have Alonso than to put in a last minute bid for Barry who has showed he wants out.  How stupid are we to still persue him?

Some sites suggesting that Wenger is looking to get Veloso instead. I'd be very surprised if Rafa sold Xabi to Arsenal.

i will be absolutaly gutted if he goes to the Gooners!

“We are pleased because we don’t want Alonso to go unless we get a very good price.”

Good on you Rafa. We're showing some balls in the market!

Good stuff rafa, i think i said this before, but xabi has prooved even in pre season that he's a much better player than barry

I asked this before ,don't know if in this same thread, BUT are we that desparate to get rid of a  top class player like Xabi Alonso,and to a rediculous price  nearing 12 mill. 
  like someone said before  I think too this is all media sh*t 
   ok bring Barry BUT we do not have to sell Xabi to raise the 18mill  ,if this happens I think Barry will have a strange start  as a liiverpool player from fans remembering we had to sell one of our best players toi bring in Barry

LIVERPOOL will not accept a cut price offer for Xabi Alonso.

Arsenal tried to take advantage of the Reds' need to raise funds for the Gareth Barry transfer with an enquiry over the weekend.

But they were deterred from making a formal bid by Liverpool's £18m valuation.

The Gunners' valuation was nearer £12m, and while Arsene Wenger hopes Liverpool's asking price will drop as the August 31 transfer deadline draws nearer, the Reds were adamant today that will not happen.

Alonso scored from the penalty spot in Saturday's 4-0 romp at Ibrox and boss Rafa Benitez said: "Xabi played very well and he's a very good player.

"I'm pleased about this. The value of Alonso in the transfer market will be high and we're really pleased with him and don't want him to go if it's not a very good price."

The immediate need for funds to complete the Barry deal have eased after co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett agreed to underwrite the fee in what amounts to a short-term loan.

The Reds were waiting on confirmation from the Americans today that the funds are in place before making a fresh offer to Villa.

Once Barry has arrived at Anfield, the onus will then be on Benitez to raise cash to pay back the debt.

source..Liverpool Banter

L'Arsenal

Nice touch!

I think, (and I'm hoping) that the media needed space to fill in the papers so decided to make up this story.
I'll be upset though if Xabi does go to Arsenal.
 

We have to do something so rafa knows that we dont want to see xabi leaving us, especielly not to ARSEnal. end of the its rafa choice but atleast he knows our point of view.

I don't want Xabi to go either, but what are you suggesting Billo?  Since when did Liverpool supporters tell the manager who he should or shouldn't sell / sign?  We'll be going round waving flags like F***ing Newcastle or Manc city fans next.

I think we all just need to trust in what Rafa is doing, because after all - we haven't won a champions league or an FA cup with the biggest club in the world have we?