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The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Heh, I don't mind Ballague, but that just reminded me of Dunk / Koptalk Insider.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=keniget link=topic=33578.msg880058#msg880058 date=1243883254]
Heh, I don't mind Ballague, but that just reminded me of Dunk / Koptalk Insider.
[/quote]

Ha, me too!!
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

All we're missing there is the request for a tenner to get the 'real' inside scoop...
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

*cue a stampede of credulous bing-bongs from EST, waving tenners in the air*
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Whaddapie link=topic=33578.msg880064#msg880064 date=1243884138]
All we're missing there is the request for a tenner to get the 'real' inside scoop...
[/quote]

Well, Ballague does already offer a range of wines. Soon it'll be souvenir china plates, mugs, fridge magnets, 'executive lounge' membership and tell-all books.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

I never understood why people would pay to find out something a matter of days before it became public knowledge anyway.

Particularly in koptalks case when it was fictitious anyway.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=33578.msg879660#msg879660 date=1243845512]
I've just read (in the Guardian) that Real are trying to sign Ronaldo, Ribery and Kaka. Presumably they're going to buy Xabi with the spare change left over from a billion euros?

[/quote]

According to AS, having been sworn into office, Perez has examined the books of Real Madrid and claims to have a budget of up to 250 million euro. I don't believe it myself but we'll see.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=33578.msg880090#msg880090 date=1243887426]
[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=33578.msg879660#msg879660 date=1243845512]
I've just read (in the Guardian) that Real are trying to sign Ronaldo, Ribery and Kaka. Presumably they're going to buy Xabi with the spare change left over from a billion euros?

[/quote]

According to AS, having been sworn into office, Perez has examined the books of Real Madrid and claims to have a budget of up to 250 million euro. I don't believe it myself but we'll see.


[/quote]

How's his eyesight?
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

From The Guardian:

The Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has said he wants to stay at Anfield, but could be sold to Real Madrid. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/EPA

Real Madrid's new president, Florentino Pérez, is expected to commence his attempts to sign Xabi Alonso by offering the Spanish striker Alvaro Negredo as a makeweight in a deal to bring the ­Liverpool playmaker to the Bernabéu.

Pérez's reappointment to the Real presidency yesterday coincided with reports that a £22m deal has been agreed in principle with Alonso and Liverpool. The suggestion was immediately denied by the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, who repeated that the 27-year-old is not for sale, although that resolve will be tested in the coming weeks, with Real among several parties, including Arsenal, who are keen on the Spain international.

Despite public assertions to the ­contrary, the prospect of Alonso leaving Anfield remains alive. His relationship with Benítez was badly strained by the manager's attempts to sell him last summer, to fund the aborted deal for Gareth Barry, and Benítez must sell to meet all his current transfer requirements.

Negredo plays for Almería, where his 19 goals this season made him the club's leading scorer for the second campaign in succession, and has been monitored by Liverpool scouts for several months. The 23-year-old has a buyout clause of around £12m but, as a product of Real's youth ­system, he would cost his former club only £4.4m under the terms of his move to Almería in 2007.

Though Pérez would not struggle to finance a straight cash deal for Alonso as he embarks on another lavish spending spree this summer, re-signing Negredo and offering him as a cut-price option to Liverpool may make such a move appeal to Benítez. Depending on the striker's valuation as a makeweight, he could theoretically enable the Liverpool manager to strengthen his attack and fund a renewed bid for Barry with the Alonso money. The former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, a target for Benítez in the past, has also been mentioned as part of a Real bid for the midfielder.

"The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi," Benítez reiterated yesterday. "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?"

Alonso may ultimately have to declare a desire to leave Liverpool for Benítez to accept Real's impending offer. The Liverpool manager 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."

Pérez has insisted that Madrid will buy Spanish players as well as international ones, even though he purchased only one Spaniard during his first spell at the club – Sergio Ramos from Sevilla. Alonso heads the list together with Valencia's David Villa and David Silva.

Pérez, who in the absence of opposition was presented as Real's president without even having to go to the polls, wants to make his first big-name signing soon and will today formally unveil Manuel Pellegrini as his coach. Madrid opted to take Pellegrini from Villarreal after Arsène Wenger and Jose Mourinho turned down the job. Madrid will pay about €4m (£3.4m) to get the 55-year-old Chilean, who led Villarreal in two Champions League campaigns, reaching the 2006 semi-finals and this year's quarter-finals.

Pellegrini had been the preferred choice of Madrid's new sporting director, Jorge Valdano, who was attracted by the neat possession game played by Villarreal. Pérez had initially been keen to appoint a higher-profile manager.

Pérez has admitted he sees star players as the best way to kick-start Madrid's economic recovery as he looks to resurrect the galáctico model that saw him sign Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo and David Beckham. He believes marketing remains the key to the club's financial health and that players such as Cristiano Ronaldo are essential. Madrid remain keen to sign the Manchester United winger but their immediate priorities are Milan's Kaka and Franck Ribéry of Bayern Munich. The club's outlay this summer could be as high as €300m.

If they're going to be spending some absurd amount of money, the fee is 50M.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Almeria striker deemed not good enough for a team we beat 5-0 last year
+
Gabriel 'shit these days' Heinze
+
Loose change to buy other shit players
=
Xabi 'probable player of the season 08/09' Alonso

What a fuckin deal that is.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=LarryHagman link=topic=33578.msg880202#msg880202 date=1243919442]

Almeria striker deemed not good enough for a team we beat 5-0 last year
+
Gabriel 'shit these days' Heinze
+
Loose change to buy other shit players
=
Xabi 'probable player of the season 08/09' Alonso

What a fuckin deal that is.



[/quote]

Yep - *if* we're going to make a deal with them let's make it a pure cash deal - no players excahnge involved. And make them pay a lot of money. They seem to have it in abundnace...
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=33578.msg880053#msg880053 date=1243882704]
For what it's worth, Ballague ISN'T certain. He qualified the report thus:

Lets be clear... I have NOT said that "Xabi Alonso is definately going to Madrid" as you have written it. What I have written is that he is a target, that Benitez is aware of the interest and that perhaps this 'could' happen...and that I am under the impression that it could happen rather quickly.

No more no less than that. Not 100% and not definitely going to happen. No transfer, including those mentioned here, is ever 100% until it has happened.
[/quote]


All we need is the "I am buying a house overlooking Melwood, to keep a closer eye on any situations"
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Asbo link=topic=33578.msg880230#msg880230 date=1243926429]
All we need is the "I am buying a house overlooking Melwood, to keep a closer eye on any situations"
[/quote]

And a gimp to go stand on dustbins outside Melwood.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Madrid are so ruthless, despite the 'he not for sale' soundbites from Rafa they'll carry on in their persuit. And the reality is, unlike Utd and Ronaldo last year, our head will be turned by big money.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg880313#msg880313 date=1243934900]
Madrid are so ruthless, despite the 'he not for sale' soundbites from Rafa they'll carry on in their persuit. And the reality is, unlike Utd and Ronaldo last year, our head will be turned by big money.
[/quote]

I pretty much agree.

If Rafa does need to sell to raise funds, a mega 26-30M Euro offer will prove irresistible. We do have got lots of dross which does need clearing out but, from Rafa's perspective, selling players can be as messy as buying players, meaning that money cannot be relied upon.

If someone comes in for Xabi they'll have to spend big.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg880313#msg880313 date=1243934900]
Madrid are so ruthless, despite the 'he not for sale' soundbites from Rafa they'll carry on in their persuit. And the reality is, unlike Utd and Ronaldo last year, our head will be turned by big money.
[/quote]

That Perez fella is one c*nt. He'll talk about Alonso so often, claim deals have been made, big him up in the press everyday until Liverpool finally get fed up and sell him. He's constantly done it with Arsenal over the likes of Wenger Vieria and Henry. Thankfully we never gave into the f*ker, hopefully Liverpool dont either.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Any sniff of Rafa being remotely interested will result in Xabi leaving, I think that much is clear. I don't think he'd be willing to stay on knowing that Rafa is considering selling him. Not this year.

Anyway, let's hope Barry signs for City, that should hopefully make this decision final for Rafa once and for all.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reaffirmed his interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Spain international is among a host of players who have been linked with a move to the Bernabeu following Perez's re-election.

Real are desperate to address the European and domestic dominance of fierce rivals Barcelona in 2008/09, who became the first Spanish side to complete the Treble.

Perez has identified former Real Sociedad star Alonso's qualities and has hinted that he could approach Reds manager Rafa Benitez.

"As a fan, I would say that Xabi is a great player. I think he is the best passer of the ball in Europe," he told the Radio Television Espanola.

"I would be happy [to have him], but I cannot talk about the player without having spoken first to Rafa Benitez, as he is the one who needs to know that we are interested in his player."
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg880382#msg880382 date=1243942153]
Any sniff of Rafa being remotely interested will result in Xabi leaving, I think that much is clear. I don't think he'd be willing to stay on knowing that Rafa is considering selling him. Not this year.

Anyway, let's hope Barry signs for City, that should hopefully make this decision final for Rafa once and for all.
[/quote]

It might not just come down to that though Neets.

If Rafa is after a top player for another position (or two) and thinks he can replace Xabi (say, with Martinez) for a 12-15m profit he might just be tempted, especially if Xabi declares a desire to move on.

Unlike last year (given Xabi's brilliant form this year) I'd much rather Xabi stays for good, but equally who knows how good this Martinez kid (or a.n.other) might be?

I'm not sure it's just about Barry anymore for Rafa. For whatever reason, Rafa might think he can progress the team with a potential superstar replacement or by improving the team in other areas.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=nornirongooner link=topic=33578.msg880332#msg880332 date=1243937061]
[quote author=Anita link=topic=33578.msg880313#msg880313 date=1243934900]
Madrid are so ruthless, despite the 'he not for sale' soundbites from Rafa they'll carry on in their persuit. And the reality is, unlike Utd and Ronaldo last year, our head will be turned by big money.
[/quote]

That Perez fella is one c*nt. He'll talk about Alonso so often, claim deals have been made, big him up in the press everyday until Liverpool finally get fed up and sell him. He's constantly done it with Arsenal over the likes of Wenger Vieria and Henry. Thankfully we never gave into the f*ker, hopefully Liverpool dont either.


[/quote]

Why, so you lot can try and get him? 😉
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

;D

Id love to have him at Arsenal but only if Fabregas left or we were going to play with 3 central midfielders. I dont think him and Fabregas are solid enough to play alongside eachother against powerful midfields
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=nornirongooner link=topic=33578.msg880633#msg880633 date=1243966698]
;D

Id love to have him at Arsenal but only if Fabregas left or we were going to play with 3 central midfielders. I dont think him and Fabregas are solid enough to play alongside eachother against powerful midfields
[/quote]

Move Fabregas to play behind the striker then, just like we did with Gerrard.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Balague on SSN just said that Benitez will sell Alonso on two conditons:

Alonso asks for a transfer;
Real Madrid bid €50M.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Gareth link=topic=33578.msg880879#msg880879 date=1243977687]
Balague on SSN just said that Benitez will sell Alonso on two conditons:

Alonso asks for a transfer;
Real Madrid bid €50M.
[/quote]

i can live with that.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

fair enough. i'm an alonso fan but if he wants to leave and we get the best part of 40 million then he can go providing he takes lucshit with him
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

God I hope Rafa doesn't think Lucas can start for us next year. Please thats my number one request for this summer.
 
Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Gareth link=topic=33578.msg880879#msg880879 date=1243977687]
Balague on SSN just said that Benitez will sell Alonso on two conditons:

Alonso asks for a transfer;
Real Madrid bid €50M.
[/quote]

Even I'd sell him for that
 
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