Xabi is due to return to training with his Liverpool players ahead of a Far East tour this weekend, and tomorrow the original deal involving Xabi’s former club Real Sociedad expires. Any sale of Alonso before then would involve Sociedad pocketing 20% of any transfer value.
Liverpool had flatly rejected a £22M offer from Madrid, insisting the player was valued at £35M. This led to Madrid telling the media that they would look elsewhere – but a lack of negotiation from the reds has reminded Madrid that Liverpool were serious about their valuation.
It now seems that Real are ready to move to a deal worth either £32M in cash or £22M plus a player, likely to be Wesley Sneijder, the 25 year old Dutch midfielder and current holder of the number 10 shirt at Real.
If the deal comes off, the reds will aim to ease the financial burden on Rafa’s former club Valencia by attempting to bring £20M David Silva to Anfield to bolster the reds attacking options.
After 5 years at Anfield, it seems that Xabi Alonso – finally – is heading out the Anfield exit. Liverpool must ensure proceeds from the sale are used wisely to improve the squad.