Spanish paper ‘AS’ claims Alonso has set a deadline for a move to Real Madrid

Transfer Speculation

“Xabi Alonso has reportedly told his agent he wants his future resolved by July 19,” claims the Daily Mail. The article which was published yesterday was first ran in Spanish newspaper ‘AS’. According to the stories, the Liverpool midfielder “met his representative Inaki Ibanez immediately after flying back to Madrid yesterday,” says the story.

“Alonso went straight to lunch with Ibanez at Madrid's Hotel Melia Barajas after getting off a 10-hour flight from Johannesburg,” the article claims. After the meeting, Alonso was said to have told Spanish newspaper AS: 'I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate.'

The story also goes on to speculate that “Madrid are considering a £55million combined bid for Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa,” and that Real have already “bid £20m” just for Alonso “but are reluctant to go above £25m.”

Liverpool report for pre-season training on July 6 but Alonso will be given extra time off because of his Spain duty. He has already moved on to San Sebastian to start vacations but is apparently due to join up with Liverpool on July 19 ahead of their Asia tour.

Spanish paper ‘AS’ also adds that “Alonso is keen for a resolution before then so that he can search for a new home in the Spanish capital,” claims the paper.

The Mail also claims: “Real Madrid want to delay their offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso to prevent Real Sociedad claiming 20 per cent of any transfer fee. Sociedad's agreement with Liverpool is believed to run out on July 18 and Madrid see it as an obstacle.”

Just a few hours after officially becoming a Real player yesterday Kaká, a £56.2m signing from Milan, said: "I've played against Xabi Alonso in two European Cup finals. He's an excellent player and also Spanish. He would be very welcome."

Meanwhile Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli insists the Serie A giants are not interested in signing Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says the Independent:

"There are a lot of names for midfield but not that of Xabi Alonso," he said. "I learnt from the press about our interest for the Spanish player. He's a great player but I think that to say that I have read his name in the papers says it all."