It is understood that the player has not handed in an official transfer request but has informed the Liverpool boss that he would like to move to Real Madrid.
Alonso is due to re-join the Liverpool squad on Sunday, and the reds have already rejected a £23 M bid for the player insisting he is worth far more in his current role at Anfield.
Xabi has 3 years remaining on his Liverpool contract, and whilst the news will dishearten Rafa and his plans for an assault on the Premier League – Liverpool and Madrid have some major differences on the valuation of the player.
Rafa Benitez is likely to take a hard line with the player and quite simply will not be bullied in to transferring the talented midfielder away from Anfield unless the reds receive a significantly improved offer.