Alonso tells Benitez he wants to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid

"Xabi Alonso has told Rafa Benitez he wants to quit Anfield and sign for Real Madrid" reports today’s Echo. The story by Journalist Tony Barrett who has his ear close to the Liverpool camp confirms the fears of every Liverpool fan. “Liverpool will not grant his wish unless the Spanish giants come up with a fee in the region of £35m,” says the article.

“Alonso has stopped short of putting in an official written transfer request but he has made it clear to Benitez that his future lies in La Liga rather than the Premier League.” However “Liverpool will not grant his wish unless the Spanish giants come up with a fee in the region of £35m,” says the story. Alonso is due to join up with the Liverpool squad on Sunday, but the story says “Alonso and his agent Inaki Ibanez are hopeful that a deal can be thrashed out with Real before then.” However Real are “reluctant to spend more than £27m for the Spanish international.” Benitez will not let the player leave for that sum, which may force Alonso to hand in an “official transfer request but the midfielder believes that he deserves to be able to have his future sorted out without taking such formal measures after giving five years of service to the Reds,” states the story.

Real manager Manuel Pellegrini yesterday insisted “He’s an important player as he has shown with the Spanish team. It’s no mystery that Real Madrid are interested in his services, but it will not be easy.”

Benitez knows replacing the Spanish midfielder will be expensive prospect and is “adamant that he will not let Alonso go on the cheap, no matter how much pressure Real put Liverpool under.”

“So unless Real come up with the kind of money which would enable Benitez to go on a mini spending spree of his own, then the Liverpool manager will not budge,” proclaims the story.