Xabi's Liverpool future decided in next 48 hours

Xabi Alonso's future at Liverpool is set to be decided in the next 48 hours.

The Mail on Sunday says Alonso's future will be decided after talks with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

The rest of the Liverpool squad are due to fly from Austria to Bangkok after Sunday's friendly with Austria Vienna, and if Alonso joins them in the Far East, Real Madrid's hopes of signing the Spain midfielder will fade significantly.

Real hope a final bid of about £26million will be enough to persuade Benitez to cash in and leave Alonso behind to complete the deal.

Sources in Spain believe Alonso's frosty relationship with Benitez will ultimately lead to him signing for Real. It is understood the pair have not spoken since the end of last season.

limpper

19 Jul 09, 21:32

Xabi set for shock Liverpool U-turn

Xabi Alonso is ready to commit himself for another season to Liverpool.

Alonso WILL be part of the club's Far East tour having rejoined the squad ahead of a friendly in Vienna tonight.

Real Madrid had set a deadline of this weekend for a £27m transfer, but that will pass without a deal and they will not be encouraged to bid again, says the News of the World.

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1)

19 Jul 09, 21:35

Ok seem like Alonso choose to stay Liverpool last.

marcteng

19 Jul 09, 22:30

no more funds to buy new players like young and silva?

omgukilledkenny

20 Jul 09, 15:00

Alonso admits Real desire

But midfielder won't ask for transfer

Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has admitted he is flattered to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Big-spending Real have been courting Alonso all summer as they look to rebuild their squad after a disappointing campaign last term.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema have already arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and Alonso is the next player in Real president Florentino Perez's sights.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is loath to lose Alonso as he looks to keep hold of his best players for another assault on the Premier League title this season.

Real are believed to be unwilling to meet Liverpool's current valuation of Alonso, but they are refusing to give up their pursuit of the midfield playmaker as they look to create a new team of Galacticos.

Alonso admits he would be interested in joining Perez's revolution, but insists he will not try and force the issue by asking for a transfer.

"It's always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now," Alonso told AS.

"But at this point, as I have always said, whether or not that can happen is not up to me. It's a matter that involves three parties, including myself.

"I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk.

"Madrid's project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I can't tell you anything else."

Talks

Alonso revealed he will hold talks with Benitez over his future during Liverpool's pre-season training camp in Austria.

"I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I arrive [in Austria] is to greet him," he commented.

"But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for all that, even though in reality, there's nothing in particular to talk to Rafa about. It's the clubs who have to negotiate to reach an agreement."

Asked why Liverpool had rejected Real's initial overtures, Alonso said: "I am not the man who can answer these questions.

"The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out either because I am not a fortune teller."

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