There is some confusion over whether Xabi Alonso has actually handed in a transfer request at Liverpool.
The usually reliable Liverpool Echo reported yesterday morning that Alonso had given the club a written transfer request, something that sources at Anfield confirmed to the Press Association yesterday afternoon.
All that apparently remained was for Real Madrid to come up with around £28million and the deal would be complete, but reports this morning suggest it might not be quite as clear cut.
The Times, a paper that has been convinced of Alonso's departure all summer, reports that the midfielder has not formally requested a move.
The paper reports: 'Sources at Liverpool said that Alonso submitted a transfer request on Wednesday evening in an effort to hasten a move to Real, but the suggestions were dismissed by Alonso's representatives, who insisted that the player had taken no such action.'
The Times also claims that a 48 hour deadline put in place by Rafa Benitez has expired, while The Guardian reports that Liverpool are holding out for over £30million for the player.
The S** is rather more certain that a deal will be done, predicting that Alonso's move could be wrapped up as early as Monday.
There has been no official confirmation from either party on whether a transfer request has been submitted.
If Alonso does leave Anfield, Lee Cattermole, Athletic Bilbao's Javi Martinez and Alberto Aquilani have all been mentioned in the press as potential replacements.
Meanwhile, Alvaro Arbeloa, who completed his own move to Real on Thursday, is quoted in The S** as saying: "I hope Xabi joins because he is a good player and a good friend."