The stalemate over Alonso has also effected the Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, because the clubs would prefer him to be part of the same deal. Arbeloa though is confident that his future will be resolved before the weekend and admitted that he and Alonso both want to join the Spanish club – only to hurriedly add: "I am speaking for myself, not Xabi."
"It is true that it's close [to being done]; let's see what happens in the next few days," Arbeloa said. "It seems that everything's going well and that it is close. It might even be wrapped up this week. Everyone knows how things work in football and things always take longer than you'd hope. There are 20 days left until the season starts in England and [liverpool] would like to have the squad finalised as soon as possible. Let's see if things can be resolved. If everything gets agreed, then no one wants to join Real Madrid more than me. But if we have to wait, we'll wait.
"Let's see if things can be moved forward – for me and for Xabi Alonso. Xabi is my room-mate and we have spoken to Rafa about everything. He knows what the situation is and has told us what he thinks. Madrid's project is very exciting and I think every player would like to be part of it. There is little that we [Arbeloa and Alonso] can do because it is the clubs and the agents that are handling things. It is true that we have a great opportunity … I'm speaking for myself I can't speak for Xabi."
Arbeloa defended BenÃtez, who has been subject to fierce criticism in the Spanish press for not backing down over Alonso, insisting that he "completely understands" the Liverpool manager's stance. "There are no good guys and bad guys. Sometimes the press wants to make someone out to be the baddie but it's not like that. Everyone looks out for their own interests and Rafa is defending the interests of Liverpool, just as we are defending our interests and Madrid are defending theirs."
