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.”
-------------------------------------

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?

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?

Exactly mate.  Well said.

No wonder Wenger did not bid for Barry ? probably waiting for Alonso ? who he  knows is a better player.

i can sum this possible transfer up in just 2 words "total bollocks!"

If i had the choice keep xabi , rafa tell wenger to go and fook himself , and tell that tit mon the same . xabi is a quality player , he belongs at liverpool , he has assets that barry simply hasnt got , rafa be strong in this now epic transfer saga !

Arsenal To Turn To Real Madrid's De La Red As Barry & Alonso Alternative?
Submitted by Jake Briggs on Tue, 2008-08-05 10:58
http://www.premiershiplatest.com/news/arsenal-turn-real-madrids-de-la-red-barr-5512724.html

Arsenal have now been linked with a move for Real Madrid’s Spanish International Ruben de la Red, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger keen to add one more quality midfielder to his squad at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon’s Miguel Veloso and an unlikely attempt to sign Xabi Alonso (left) from Liverpool. Along with reports that the Arsenal manager was to try and hijack the Gareth Barry transfer to Liverpool from Aston Villa, with the Arsenal boss ruling out Barry as a potential target on Monday.

Now the North London club are set to turn their attention to 23-year-old Ruben de la Red, who despite impressing at Getafe on loan last season is not likely to push players like Robinho, Guti, Wesley Sneijder and new signing Rafael van der Vaart out of the Real midfield, according to The Telegraph.

EURO 2008 Winner Ruben de la Red is receptive to a move to the Premiership, with the Spanish International also revealing he was a fan of the style of play.

“I like the Premier League and the way they play their football,”said the Spanish midfielder.

Alonso saga is another media bullshit 'cos now arsenal are going for De la Red. Wenger knows that alonso isnt available for him and we will buy barry 

I wouldn't mind De la Red on our midfield - not a very Spanish name though is it?

Please dont let them get De La Red either haha. I hope they get no-one and have to use diaby at DM really.

03/08/2008 21:21

Rafa Happy To Still Have Alonso

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists that he is glad to not have cashed in on Xabi Alonso during the summer.
Prior to Euro 2008 it seemed a foregone conclusion that Alonso would end his four-year spell on Merseyside to join Juventus, but the knock on effect of the Italians opting for the cheaper Christian Poulsen instead, and Aston Villa knocking back bid after bid for Gareth Barry has resulted in the Spaniard remaining rooted in Anfield.

Internazionale, Arsenal and Fenerbahce are still reported to be interested in the 26-year-old, but Benitez has suggested that he is no longer looking to sell.

"It's simple. He is a very good player who is playing for us and I am really pleased with that," the Reds boss told Sky Sports News.

Benitez was also questioned about whether the league title in now definitely the priority now that their domestic drought has is almost into its third decade, but the Spaniard refused to paint himself into a corner.

"Everything is important," he added. "Europe is important, the Premier League is important, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup, so we will try to win every trophy and you never know.

"We will try to win from the first game and then see the situation. We started really well and finished really well last season.

"Clearly we have confidence in ourselves and have the quality to try to win every game but you never know what can happen in any competition.

"If we can do the same this time then hopefully we will be better in the middle of the season. But we will be working really hard to be as competitive as we can."

Derek Wanner, talkaloadofbull.com

Alonso wont be going any where ESPECIALLY to the Ars! Benitez doesnt need to sell players any more, maybe Pennant and (hopefully NOT) Beneyoun but the yanks have said they will front the money in to their Finance's which means Benitez can keep Alonso. This is the type of squad we need if we want to win everything, 2 players for each position that are WORLD class. Just because we get Barry doesnt mean we cant have Alonso too.

Same quote, reworded article.

Really its what i expected, no chance of signing Xabi. I bet Rafa would have had a chuckle when he heard of their interest.

These always make me laugh - from Sky Sports's paper talk

Lee Wilson (Arsenal fan) says...

Alonso to arsenal seems more likely everyday, he has been spotted at the ground twice recently.

------------

 

Alonso to arsenal seems more likely everyday, he has been spotted at the ground twice recently.

As if!

There are loads of men that are brown haired and 6ft tall!

Fenerbahce outright deny Alonso rumors http://kop-tv.com/go/fenerbahce-outright-deny-alonso-rumors/

Previously, Fenerbahce manager Luis Aragones had refused to reports linking midfielder Xabi Alonso to the Turkish club. Now, however, the club have released an official statement.

It said, according to FootyLatest.com: “For a while now, there are reports in the press saying our club is after Xabi Alonso and that even a deal has been reached upon his transfer,” it said.

“Today, a lot of newspapers published news that we were negotiating with Liverpool and that we had a tactical strategy of bargaining. These reports are not true. Our club has no intention on transferring Xabi Alonso.”

Both the Alonso move and Garth Barry deal look very far from finding a solution, and could drag on until the last day of the transfer window.

therefore all this sh*t is media talk, from now on till the end of the transfer window, im only believing what our players & lfc staff are talking.

These always make me laugh - from Sky Sports's paper talk

Lee Wilson (Arsenal fan) says...

Alonso to arsenal seems more likely everyday, he has been spotted at the ground twice recently.

------------

 

Was this when he was in Norway or Scotland?

7-King Kenny-7 (liverpool fan) says....

silva to liverpool seems more likely everyday, he has been spotted at the ground twice recently


arsenal fans are such dumbass'

well done kenny        

Just hope Xabi stays long enough to play next Tuesday night, then he'll be cup-tied   

Xabi's staying.

F***ing made up.

I hope so smiggers, but if he is sold we will have a bid problem in the middle 'cos mascherano & lucas at olympics, gerrard recovering from injure, alonso sold(it would be the biggest mistake that rafa will do:(). only spearing and plessis will be available or maybe putting benayoun in the centre but then we have anothor problem down the left.

But after all he will not be sold to noone!!!!

hang on hang on- SSN are now reporting that rafa has said that that they may sell him for the right price

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has refused to rule out the possibility of selling Xabi Alonso.

The Spain international appears to have become the victim of the Reds' continued pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

He has the full support of the Anfield faithful, though, who backed him throughout Friday's friendly against Lazio, while also displaying their opposition towards any move for Barry.

However, Benitez appears to have turned a deaf ear to the views from the terraces, admitting that a suitable offer could yet see him part with a popular member of his squad.

Price
"We knew Alonso was a very good player and as a result he had a good price (on his head). We had offers, but they were not enough so we decided he needed to stay with us," said the Spanish coach.

"It could be that he does stay with us.

"For me it is not a problem if he stays or not. He can stay, we always have felt he is a good player.

"We are only talking about a very, very good price. He is a good player, if he is not going to bring a good price then it is very simple, easy to understand.

"I heard the crowd, obviously. We know now, as we knew before, that he could stay with us."


Possibilities
Benitez needs to sell in order to fund any potential bid for Barry and admits that there are likely to be changes within the Reds camp before the new season gets underway.

"It is not positive that we may not have the players we want here before the Champions League game," he said.

"But the transfer window closes at the end of August, we will try to do our best to bring in the players to improve us by then.

"I try to do the best for my club with the possibilities that you have, I have done this every year since I have been here. And I am trying to do the same for this coming season.

"I do not feel any more pressure, every season is the same. We have a good squad, better than before, but we can improve a little bit more."

well the right price is well out of arsenals reach so they have no chance of getting him if he were to leave

Arsenal have no chance, period.

I don't see Wenger splashing out anything more than 12 mil pounds on a player, even more so if the player is above 20 years of age. The geezer's a miser I bet he takes he a bus ride home.

I don't see us selling a player to title rival, it makes no sense

I don't see Wenger splashing out anything more than 12 mil pounds on a player, even more so if the player is above 20 years of age. The geezer's a miser I bet he takes he a bus ride home.

Can imagine him talking to the bus driver 'I fink you muzt be blind, everyone could zee that waz my stop no, ze whol vorld could zee an you dont!'

P.S that needs to be read with a french twang!

Have the gunners actually signed ANYONE this summer? I saw Wenger pn Sky Sports earlier saying he is not buying atm because he is too busy getting ready for the CL tie next week but I can't remember seeing them sign anyone so far.

Have the gunners actually signed ANYONE this summer? I saw Wenger pn Sky Sports earlier saying he is not buying atm because he is too busy getting ready for the CL tie next week but I can't remember seeing them sign anyone so far.

that ramsey lad

that ramsey lad

That all? even that was last season!

even that was last season!

they signed him this summer

They signed Nasri too dont forget.

Yeah and Nasri is a big buy too

they signed him this summer

Ok well June then but the whole sorry sags started well into last season.

They signed Nasri too dont forget.

Ah another French International eh? Mr Wenger certainly knows how to be creative alright! it's like the scouts live in France and don't have pasports!

it's like the scouts live in France and don't have pasports!

Or they really like snails and frog legs.

I think Wenger is a very patriotic guy, otherwise he would actually look outside of France for someone under 20, a big price tag and touted as a superstar.

Although, i wish he snapped up the young lads Houllier brought with him.

They've signed a few others, including someone from Werder Bremen, not big signings really though.
I'm confident that Xabi will still be with us next season.

They've signed a few others, including someone from Werder Bremen, not big signings really though.
I'm confident that Xabi will still be with us next season.

Me too I hope he starts tomorrow night to silence the media anyway!

Me too I hope he starts tomorrow night to silence the media anyway!

Yeah, they'll definately stop with any speculation over Alonso if he's cup-tied.
-Well we can hope!

Here we go again

Italians in for Alonso
August 14, 2008
AC Milan are reportedly interested Spaniard Xabi Alonso and are likely to make a bid for the player.

FansFC.com suggest that manager Carlos Ancelotti could make a £15million bid for Alonso, although he is cup tied now after playing a part in the 0-0 draw with Liege.

“A move to Juventus was scrapped when the Italians refused to offer any more than £12million, whilst the Reds are reluctant to entertain interest from Arsenal.

“Carlo Ancelotti has now believed to have targeted the former Real Sociedad player for a move to the San Siro, and an offer of £15million will be enough to ensure the services of Alonso.” FansFC reported.

Kopites showed in the Lazio game that they really want Alonso to remain at the club although, statistics don’t show very positive readings, with only 2 assists last season for Alonso.

 from http://lfcglobe.com/

They wont even bid.

Wont happen!

1. he wont leave champions league football for uefa cup football
2. why would he go to a team which are nearly full of o.a.p's
3. they struggled to fund ronaldinho and now could'nt afford darren anderton let alone xabi alonso
4. they are mediocre now

Pffft. '15 million will be enough'. No it wont you tit.

As 7-k k-7 said, its just a step down from staying here. Not like he is guaranteed a spot their either.

Football: Alonso asks to leave as cracks show in the Liverpool hierarchy

Andy Hunter The Guardian, Saturday August 16 2008

The fall-out from Liverpool's arduous pursuit of Gareth Barry continued yesterday when Xabi Alonso asked to leave Anfield and Rafael Benítez revealed evidence of his strained relationship with the club's chief executive, Rick Parry.

Alonso, a recent transfer target for Juventus and Arsenal, wants to be sold having become disillusioned with the manager's attempts to finance the Barry deal by off-loading the Spain international amid concerns that his first team chances will be reduced this season. The 26-year-old has not submitted a transfer request, but has asked the club to renew its efforts to sell him in the coming weeks - a stance that will alert the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger.

Arsenal are the only club to have made an official inquiry about Alonso since his proposed transfer to Juventus collapsed over Liverpool's £18m valuation. They too, however, share the Italians' view that Liverpool's price-tag is excessive and are only prepared to pay around £12m for the playmaker who moved to Anfield from Real Sociedad for £10.5m in 2004. Without a compromise from either party Alonso will be left in limbo this season but Benítez remains intent on signing Barry, who is also valued at £18m by Aston Villa, and is prepared to sell his compatriot and/or Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin to fund the transfer of his own accord.

Benítez was refused a short-term loan to complete the Barry transfer last week by the Liverpool owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, with Parry, while denying the Americans had not backed their manager's judgement, issuing a statement that confirmed Villa's asking price was "too high". The Liverpool manager has since had e-mail conversations with the Americans and has been told money is available for other transfers. But yesterday he dismissed suggestions he had driven up Barry's price by publicly revealing Liverpool's interest before the end of last season and that the failure to sell Alonso had changed the club's transfer policy. In doing so, he indicated the Liverpool chief executive was accountable for the Barry saga now entering its fourth month.

"I get blamed for everything, for global warming to high petrol prices," said Benítez. "But in this case [Barry] I want to be very clear. Since I talked to Martin O'Neill about the situation in April, I have not talked to anyone at Aston Villa. All the talks have been between our chief executive Rick Parry, the owner and the chief executive of Aston Villa. And those talks have all been pretty good.

"If anyone wants to talk about Barry in the future they must talk with the owner, Rick Parry or the chief executive of Aston Villa. I was not involved in the talks about Barry, I was not involved in the talks about Alonso and Arsenal. If you want to talk about these players you must talk to the chief executive of our club who was handling the discussions. If you want to talk about football, then you talk with me."

The Liverpool manager remains confident of a resolution before the close of the transfer window, however. "We continue working and we have time. I have some players in mind," he added.


Please tell me this is not true?!!

I'm sick of it!  This summer's transfer period has just followed on in the sipirt of turmoil and embarrasment as dogged us last season... The owners jumping in the middle of our deals to humiliate the club and manager, the bad press, and the inability to complete deals without a media circus!  Anyway, back on topic!

If Alonso wants to leave then this changes my opinion of the situation. Whilst he was happy to stay and fight for his place I was 100% behind him staying, but if he wants to leave then let him go. I don't believe a player can perform to his best if he is held at a club against his will, so we should do our best to honour his request and find a quality replacement. But never, never should we sell him to another Premiership club - it was bad enough Crouch going to Pompey, but that was easier to understand as he has some history there. Selling a top player to a title rival is just asking for trouble - I'd hate for it to backfire on us in future matches!

Anyway, Rafa's comments are as calming as ever - he states that there are several players waiting in the wings, so I do hope our squad will be settled in the next couple of weeks.

haha.  i saw so much bullshit in the news today.  rafa falling out with parry over barry just after he says that barrygate was out of his hands, xabi looking for an exit, etc etc

The news is bull sh*t i only read offical sources especilly with football  e.g.- torres 2 chelsea 40m hahahaha lmao

The news is bull sh*t I only read offical sources especilly with football  e.g.- torres 2 chelsea 40m hahahaha lmao

that made me laugh for weeks

This is hard to admit but Alonso has been a shadow of himself the last year or so. Not the player he was or can be. I just believe that if we need to push on we need a different kind of player.

Acknowledge that Xabi is quality at times and has over all been an excellent servant BUT believe that if we have to raise funds to bring in a midfielder with different qualities then maybe its time. I think Barry would be a better fit for the team. Yeah Alonso is a better passer (both long and short) but Barry is more likely to track back and build a move. His stats from last year show just how valuable he is.

Honestly believe masch, barry and stevie is a tighter unit that one that includes alonso.

I say all this on my knees as I pray he doesn't get moved to the Arse....

I heard Cesc saying he wants Xabi, we'll you no what Cesc... F**k off

Cesc wants Xabi but Xabi wants Liverpool. 

Arsenal attempted to land Alonso on deadline day

Daily Post

LIVERPOOL resisted a late move from Arsenal to sign Xabi Alonso before the transfer deadline on Monday night.

The Gunners made contact with Anfield officials to enquire about the availability of the Spain international (right). But before any talk of a possible bid could be begin, the Londoners were told the midfielder was not for sale.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had targeted Alonso to bolster his midfield after both Mathieu Flamini and Aleksandr Hleb departed the Emirates in the summer.

Alonso’s international team-mate Cesc Fabregas had urged the Liverpool man to make the move south, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had no intention of weakening his midfield without any reinforcements lined up.

Alonso is currently with the Spain squad preparing for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Armenia.

Spain will be without Fernando Torres, whose hamstring tear will also rule him out of Liverpool’s home clash with United on Saturday week.

But Alonso believes the Anfield side can deal with the striker’s absence.

“He is an important player, but we have to work through these situations when players are injured are suspended,” he said. “We have to overcome that and play well in order to obtain good results.”

  Nice try Arsene.

With us not getting Barry there was no chance.  At least we know now why the lights were on late at Anfield that day.

Wonder how much they were offering?

Wonder how much they were offering?

GBP 14M apparently.

Which we would have taken as little as two weeks ago... but how did they think we would sell without us having time to sign a replacement (Barry).

Wenger must think we are desperate... which we are... but stupid we are not.