Liverpool FC Forum

[mjlfc09]

RAFA RUBBISHES ALONSO DEAL CLAIMS
Paul Hassall 31 May 2009
Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports in the Spanish media that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid for the transfer of Xabi Alonso.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer but the Reds boss has poured cold water on suggestions the Spain international is set to leave.

The Liverpool Manager said: "The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi.

"He had a very good season for us and can be an important player in the future. There is no agreement with Real and we want him to be part of our plans going forward.

"Xabi himself told our club magazine only two weeks ago that he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool player. Why should he want to leave now?"

Benitez added: "Xabi's agent came to see me recently to talk about the future. It was a surprise for me and I pointed out to him there were three years left on Xabi's contract.

"I asked him if the player was happy in Liverpool and he said yes. It was a short meeting."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164594090531-1653.htm

[tubby]

Nice of Rafa to point out Xabi still has 3 years left on his contract. 'It was a short meeting'.

[aCe']

Real Madrid & Liverpool Reach Xabi Alonso Agreement - Report
Florentino Perez is all set to unveil his first signing, with a deal for the Basque midfielder virtually done...
31 May 2009 07:30:19

Liverpool and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over Xabi Alonso, and the player will be presented next week, according to reports.

According to Sport, the two clubs have settled on terms and all the remains is the player's signature. The initial transfer fee is €25 million, but the fee could increase depending on whether or not Liverpool can come to an agreement with Gabriel Heinze, who could be part of the deal.

Alonso is expected to sign a five-year contract and will be presented next week, when he will be in Madrid for the Spanish training camp ahead of the Confederations Cup.

It is believed that Liverpool also tried to involve Alvaro Negredo in the discussions, but that was not a viable option, since Madrid would have had to pay €15 million just to exercise their buy-out clause with Almeria.

Rumours are also suggesting that Florentino Perez will present his new coach next Monday, with Manuel Pellegrini the overwhelming favourite.

Alonso is likely to be the first of many signings over the summer, with Perez expected to spend in excess of €300 million.


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

not sure how credible this report is but its certainly worrying to say the least... dont really know why we'r in for Heinze either, surely theres better options in the real madrid side to consider....

[Effes]

Real Madrid & Liverpool Reach Xabi Alonso Agreement - Report
Florentino Perez is all set to unveil his first signing, with a deal for the Basque midfielder virtually done...
31 May 2009 07:30:19

Liverpool and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over Xabi Alonso, and the player will be presented next week, according to reports.

According to Sport, the two clubs have settled on terms and all the remains is the player's signature. The initial transfer fee is €25 million, but the fee could increase depending on whether or not Liverpool can come to an agreement with Gabriel Heinze, who could be part of the deal.

Alonso is expected to sign a five-year contract and will be presented next week, when he will be in Madrid for the Spanish training camp ahead of the Confederations Cup.

It is believed that Liverpool also tried to involve Alvaro Negredo in the discussions, but that was not a viable option, since Madrid would have had to pay €15 million just to exercise their buy-out clause with Almeria.

Rumours are also suggesting that Florentino Perez will present his new coach next Monday, with Manuel Pellegrini the overwhelming favourite.

Alonso is likely to be the first of many signings over the summer, with Perez expected to spend in excess of €300 million.


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

not sure how credible this report is but its certainly worrying to say the least... dont really know why we'r in for Heinze either, surely theres better options in the real madrid side to consider....

What's the source Ace?

[aCe']

Daily mail reporting this now..

Liverpool 'accept' Real Madrid's £22m Xabi Alonso bid with Gabriel Heinze set for Anfield

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 3:28 PM on 31st May 2009

Xabi Alonso has agreed a £22million move to Real Madrid in a deal that could see Gabriel Heinze move to Liverpool, according to reports in Spain.

Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka or Franck Ribery, Alonso will be the first 'Galactico' of Florentino Perez's second stint as Bernabeu president, according to Spanish newspaper Sport.

Perez is set to re-take his job as early as Monday - two weeks ahead of planned elections - after none of the other prospective presidential candidates was able to stump up the cash guarantee required.

The 62-year-old is only likely to sign one from the trio of Manchester United star Ronaldo, AC Milan's brilliant Brazilian Kaka or Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.

But he has reportedly already reached an agreement for Spain midfielder Alonso. The paper says the Anfield star had agreed to a deal in principle weeks ago and that Liverpool accepted an offer on Friday.

But there remain a few variables to sort out. Former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze could go the other way in part-exchange, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez a long-term admirer of the Argentina international.

Benitez is also said to be keen on striker Alvaro Negredo. Madrid sold the 23-year-old to Almeria but have a buy-back option and Liverpool are said to have wanted him as part of the Alonso deal.

However, the £13m price-tag quoted is too much for Liverpool as they would prefer the cash to target Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

[gato_busta]

From everything that has been said, it sounds to me like Xabi only wants an improved contract to stay at Liverpool (or as Macca calls it, he needs lots of love). Either way, Since Ancelotti already quit Milan and is probably heading to Chelsea, with reports saying he wants Xabi, I think there could be a bidding war between them and Real if Rafa chose to sell (of course using Chelsea only to up Xabi's price).

I seriously hope he doesn't leave. The midfield trio of Xabi-Masch-Gerrard has been essential to our season and I seriously doubt that changing that will benefit the team in any way.

[Kash_Mountain]

This is a worrying development. As everyone knows, he's been argueably our best play this season.  I hope he stays for the long haul. I can't see the logic of bringing Gareth Barry (the replacement) to Liverpool FC. Not sure whether Heinze would be any good for us. He had a mediocre time at Mwanck U.  How well has he played for Real Madrid?

[RedBen]

After all the effort Rafa's has put in denying over and over again that Xabi won't leave, I don't believe Rafa will let hem go.

[tubby]

What will the fee rise to if we cant agree on terms with Heinze? That figure seems kind of low even with included.

[mrt]

Heinze?  No thank you.  Robben = Tin man, wouldn't let him anywhere near the place.  Barry may score more goals than Xabi but would probably only be fourth choice penalty taker.  I don't mind him coming here as he'd improve the squad but not if it means losing Alonso.

[tubby]

Rafa should try for Ramos.

[aCe']

Heinze?  No thank you.  Robben = Tin man, wouldn't let him anywhere near the place.  Barry may score more goals than Xabi but would probably only be fourth choice penalty taker.  I don't mind him coming here as he'd improve the squad but not if it means losing Alonso.

your worried about penalty takers ?!

and Robben is brilliant.. wouldnt mind a straight swap with Alonso if they'd agree but dont think they would...

[mjlfc09]

RAFA RUBBISHES ALONSO DEAL CLAIMS
Paul Hassall 31 May 2009
Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports in the Spanish media that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid for the transfer of Xabi Alonso.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer but the Reds boss has poured cold water on suggestions the Spain international is set to leave.

The Liverpool Manager said: "The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi.

"He had a very good season for us and can be an important player in the future. There is no agreement with Real and we want him to be part of our plans going forward.

"Xabi himself told our club magazine only two weeks ago that he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool player. Why should he want to leave now?"

Benitez added: "Xabi's agent came to see me recently to talk about the future. It was a surprise for me and I pointed out to him there were three years left on Xabi's contract.

"I asked him if the player was happy in Liverpool and he said yes. It was a short meeting."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164594090531-1653.htm

Why is everyone ignoring this article and still speculating about xabi going.I know Rafa has said before that he doesnt want to sell Xabi but this more categorical.

[aCe']

Rafas words are worth nothing...
He said he didnt want to sell Keane and the next day Keane was off... Probably just his way of getting madrid to up their bid

[Number 9]

RAFA RUBBISHES ALONSO DEAL CLAIMS
Paul Hassall 31 May 2009
Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports in the Spanish media that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid for the transfer of Xabi Alonso.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer but the Reds boss has poured cold water on suggestions the Spain international is set to leave.

The Liverpool Manager said: "The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi.

"He had a very good season for us and can be an important player in the future. There is no agreement with Real and we want him to be part of our plans going forward.

"Xabi himself told our club magazine only two weeks ago that he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool player. Why should he want to leave now?"

Benitez added: "Xabi's agent came to see me recently to talk about the future. It was a surprise for me and I pointed out to him there were three years left on Xabi's contract.

"I asked him if the player was happy in Liverpool and he said yes. It was a short meeting."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164594090531-1653.htm

Why is everyone ignoring this article and still speculating about xabi going.I know Rafa has said before that he doesnt want to sell Xabi but this more categorical.

You will soon learn that most on here prefer to believe the bad stories and negatives about the team they love!
Strange I know but thats the way it goes!!