by anfieldadorer » Mon Aug 16, 2004 1:14 pm
Spain international midfielder Xabi Alonso cannot wait to complete his proposed move to Liverpool, according to his agent.
The Real Sociedad midfielder is currently with his national team preparing for Wednesday's friendly against Venezuela but is hoping that upon his return to San Sebastian later this week that he will be a Liverpool player.
"Xabi Alonso is looking forward for the deal to be completed," Alonso's agent Inaki Ibanez said.
"I know he watched Liverpool's game this weekend (1-1 draw at Tottenham) and he is focused on the possibility of playing in the English Premiership next season."
Alonso, who has three years left in his contract with Real, has been at the centre of the transfer gossip with Spanish giants Real Madrid also keen to sign the player.
Liverpool are thought to have offered around 15 million euros (£10.1m) for Alonso but could now face competition from Madrid who are desperate to sign a central midfielder following their failure to sign Arsenal's Patrick Vieira.
Madrid reportedly offered 12m euros (£8.1m) for Alonso which the Basque club rejected.
Alonso's agent believes that it's Liverpool that is the player's priority.
"Liverpool have made an offer to the club, they have made their intentions clear to the player and to Real Sociedad," said Ibanez.
"We cannot talk about the past nor the future, simply the present and that is that Xabi has the possibility to join a great club like Liverpool.
"Real Sociedad are studying the offer made by Liverpool and we are hoping that in the next few days the situation will be resolved."
Ibanez admitted there would be no problem once the clubs reach an agreement for the player to agree terms with Liverpool.
"We had a meeting on Saturday with Liverpool to discuss the player's intentions just in case there was an agreement reached with both clubs so that there would no future problems for the player's contract."
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad coach Jose Mari Amorrortu admits he is already preparing for life without the international midfielder.
Amorrortu left Alonso out of his squad to play Second Division outfit Eibar in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
He had done the same three days earlier when Alonso was also missing from the side that took on Osasuna in another preparation game.
Amorrortu admits he doesn't expect to see him playing in Real's blue and white stripes again.
"Ever since last Wednesday, I have started to accept that maybe he is not going to continue with us, that is why he has not played in the last two games," he said.
"From my point of view I have to start to think about alternatives.
"Without Xabi the scenery is going to be different and our job is going to be make as complete a team as possible with the players we have available."
