by aCe' » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:05 am
Madrid close in on £32M Alonso
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By David Maddock, , 17/07/2009
Football Spy
By DAVID MADDOCK REAL MADRID believe they will finally get their man when they return with an improved offer for Xabi Alonso this weekend.
The Mirror understands that the Spanish giants have reopened talks with Liverpool and are ready to increase their bid to around £32million.
Alonso wants the deal concluded before he is due to return to Anfield on Sunday, prompting both parties to intensify negotiations.
Madrid previously offered £22m for the Spanish midfielder and were reluctant to go beyond that figure for a player priced at just £15m last summer.
But the deal has been resurrected after Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez indicated he would be willing to listen to proposals that would give him £22m cash, plus a player in part-exchange. Even though Spurs are close to agreeing a deal for young Real striker Alvaro Negredo, the Bernabeu club have offered him as part of their Alonso proposals, along with Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder.
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Benitez will do business if he believes that either player is priced at the right level, giving him the £35m which he believes reflects Alonso's current worth.
The Anfield boss won't accept anything less because he knows how costly it will be to replace the Spaniard in his midfield engine room.
Benitez wants to make a significant profit in replacing Alonso, to allow him to pursue Valencia winger David Silva.
With transfer activity gathering pace at Anfield, insiders within the club suggest that if a deal can be concluded to sell Alonso at the right price over the weekend, the club will try to wrap up a £20m deal for Silva next week.
Talks have been ongoing for some months, but the player has now returned from a holiday and it is thought a fee could be thrashed out in the early part of next week allowing Silva to sign by Wednesday.
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Alot of good news in that piece if its true... would mean we'd have Sneijder, Negredo and Silva by next week with Alonso gone... good stuff if you ask me...
Sad to see Alonso go but its what he wants and he isnt to be blamed.... all the best Xabi, hope you maintain last seasons form and be a big player for them...