Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano concedes they may be forced to give up their bid for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Valdano told The Independent: “Liverpool have issued an official statement to the public – Xabi is a player who has little chance of joining Real Madrid.”
“We tried hard to sign him a few years ago. We had a meeting with Real Sociedad but, when I left [Madrid], they lost interest in him.”
Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano believes it will be incredibly difficult to land Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
"It is always complicated to sign players, even though it may not seem like it by how fast we've signed Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo," he told Radio Marca and Onda Cero.
"With regards to Xabi Alonso, Liverpool made an announcement on Sunday and it seems to me they don't want to sell him, so it will be hard for him to end up playing here.
"I've always liked him, since my first time at Real Madrid. I did a massive effort to bring him here a few years back, we met with Real Sociedad but when I left the deal slipped into the background.
"Liverpool valued him at 18million euros last year because he wasn't an essential player. But he is now. They've given him more chances to play and he has responded magnificently."