Alvaro Arbeloa was recently the subject of a €4 million transfer that
saw him make a dream move from Liverpool to Real Madrid, where he began
his career.
The Spaniard has now urged his former club-mate,
Xabi Alonso, to join him at the Bernabeu, whilst explaining that it was
difficult for him to get things ironed out with the Reds' boss, Rafael
Benitez.
"It wasn't easy for me to get here because Rafa defends his interests hard," Arbeloa said, according to The Sun.
"I also understand he is currently coaching the team and that he's left negotiations aside for now.
"I hope Xabi joins because he is a good player and a good friend."
Meanwhile,
the tabloid claims that the midfielder's move to Madrid will be
finalized by Monday, as an unnamed source in the Spanish capital has
been quoted as saying, "We expect a positive solution between the clubs
in the next few days."
Benitez has been adamant in his valuation of the Basque, and has been holding out for €35m; however, the
equations may have changed now that the 27-year-old has allegedly
handed in a transfer request. A deal in the region of €33m appears to
be in the offing.