Rafa : Alonso Going Nowhere

[psl]

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...198545,00.html#

 

BENITEZ: ALONSO GOING NOWHERE

 

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has expressed his determination to hang on to midfielder Xabi Alonso.

 

The Spaniard was linked with a move away from Anfield last summer, when a number of clubs were understood to be interested in securing his services.

 

Benitez insisted it would take a 'massive' offer for him to part with Alonso and was not tempted by a proposal from Juventus.

 

The 27-year-od has gone on to enjoy an excellent season, helping the Reds challenge for the Premier League title.

 

Press reports suggest Real Madrid and Barcelona could target Alonso when the transfer window reopens but Benitez has warned any potential suitors he will fight to keep hold of Alonso.

 

"We had an offer from Juventus and asked a big price as he is a big player. They couldn't meet it," Benitez said.

 

"In the end, Xabi has been having a very good season. He has been playing well in a lot of games and is a key player for us.

 

"We have a lot of confidence in him and he is a player we want to keep because he has the quality, and the game, that we need."

[DanielS]

In translation Rafa actually said - Since the Keane-Barry "super-duo-explosive-goals-collective" idea has been shelved we're settling for second best.

[Falconhoof]

To be fair, you could interpret that as Rafa is establishing the price.

[JRC]

I think we are still in the position that everyone has a price; the detail is in how desperate we get and how low a price we are forced to accept. At least in that, we didn't let him go for a song last year, and the starting price - should any of the suspects still fancy a crack at Alonso - will, hopefully, be higher this year; high enough to scare everyone off.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

In translation Rafa actually said - Since the Keane-Barry "super-duo-explosive-goals-collective" idea has been shelved we're settling for second best.

a pretty good 2nd best, mind

[muleskinner]

A big offer from Real Madrid will be forthcoming this Summer. If its £30million or more I reckon Rafa will sell him.

Edited April 17, 2009 by muleskinner

[sutty]

Get him signed up.

 

Rea Madrid? I thought he'd said he'd never play there

[muleskinner]

Get him signed up.

 

Rea Madrid? I thought he'd said he'd never play there

 

He was in negotiations to sign before Rafa nipped in and got him over here. I think all the 'he's a Basque he won't join them' stuff that people mention is overplayed.

[Chili Palmer]

A big offer from Real Madrid will be forthcoming this Summer. If its £30million or more I reckon Rafa will sell him.

 

 

If Rafa is guaranteed the money to re-invest that is.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

He was in negotiations to sign before Rafa nipped in and got him over here. I think all the 'he's a Basque he won't join them' stuff that people mention is overplayed.

read an interview with him where he was in a cafe before he'd signed for us & a Sociedad fan saw him & begged him not to sign for Real. Xabi told him not to worry

[slapnuts]

he might be liar

[meredithmathieson]

Haven't I read elsewhere that, when the SOS contingent went to see Rafa, he said to them that the asking/selling price for Xabi was £20m.

 

Nobody met that, so he stayed.

 

If so, fair enough.

 

Fantastically pleased that he stayed, though.

[John am Rhein]

You've got to admire Juventus

They're la vecchia signora of Italian football

But if they think they can buy our Xabi Alonso...

 

Oi!!! Juventus!!! Noooooo!!!!

 

Alonso's araaahnd

'e's stayin araahnd

And 'e'll be araahnd for EVAAAHHH!!

 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xPrF0hBhc)

[Sion]

I think all the 'he's a Basque he won't join them' stuff that people mention is overplayed.

 

I don't think it is.

You just have to look at Athletic Bilbao to see how much Basques have a strong identity.

[Pam]

i saw Xabi in Calderstones Park on Saturday - he was on hs own and wandering round on his phone. His car is quite old too!

 

i was too shy to say anything to him but told my 3 year old niece how wonderful he is! She was oblivious!

[muleskinner]

I don't think it is.

You just have to look at Athletic Bilbao to see how much Basques have a strong identity.

 

Having a strong 'national' identity didn't stop him and his agent having talks to sign for them before Rafa nipped in and closed the deal to get him here. If Houllier hadn't been sacked he would probably be playing for them.

[John am Rhein]

Plenty of Basques have played for Madrid before, isn't it?

 

They've certainly had a few playing for Barcelona.