After Javier Mascherano’s agent held two hours of talks with Barcelona on Wednesday, Benitez found Alonso fuelling Real Madrid’s interest by passing up the chance to clarify his plans.
Midfielder Alonso is one of the next targets on Real president Florentino Perez’s hitlist and sought to remain tight-lipped when asked if he would be disappointed to still be at Anfield next term.
“I cannot answer that,” said a smiling Alonso after Spain’s 1-0 Confederations Cup win over Iraq. “I have already said everything.”
Alonso’s relationship with Benitez became strained last summer when Liverpool tried to sell him behind his back to fund a move for Gareth Barry, and his careful response marks out the battle lines for what promises to be an acrimonious stand-off.
Benitez, who is set to announce the £18million capture of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth after the player passed a medical yesterday, has stated that neither Alonso or Mascherano are for sale and believes he is sitting in a strong position with both players tied to the club until 2012 under the terms of their contracts.
MASCHERANO: In a Barca bid
While he believes he would be capable of managing two potentially unhappy players next term, Benitez is also a realist who would give consideration to what would have to amount to head-turning offers for the duo.
The riches currently at Real’s disposal, together with the breakdown in relations between Alonso and Benitez, make them more likely to come up with an offer capable of altering Liverpool’s present stance.
Perez is working on trying to secure David Villa’s signature to join that of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, but sources in Spain indicate a deal has been unofficially struck with Alonso.
Benitez would be looking for a fee in the region of £30m for a player valued at £16m just 12 months ago. Mascherano has already seen Liverpool place a £50m price-tag on his head, although that did not deter agent Walter Tamer holding talks with Barcelona.
Whether the Spaniards can come up with the necessary cash remains doubtful. After last season’s encouraging title challenge, the prospect of Alonso and Mascherano leaving Anfield does not bear thinking about for Liverpool supporters.
Winger Albert Riera says Liverpool’s most important moves in the transfer market could be in ensuring the spine of the team remains intact.
Alvaro Arbeloa is also being pursued by Real and Riera said: “It’s important Liverpool keep all their players because you could see this year that every player was needed.”
David Moores resigned from Liverpool’s board yesterday after becoming disallusioned with how the club is being run.
It was Moores who sold out to Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks in 2007 – a decision he has been left to rue given their unpopularity. Moores will retain his position as honorary life president.
BENITEZ: Ready to fight
