Source: Telegraph
Chelsea and Manchester City to prise Liverpool's Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid
Alonso joined up with the Liverpool squad this week for their Far East tour with his future at the club still uncertain and the two Premier League clubs are set to end weeks of speculation by making an offer for the £35 million-rated midfielder, according to the Express .
Alonso met manager Rafael Benitez and the Anfield squad in Vienna after flying from Spain - where he got married last weekend - following weeks of speculation that he was about to join Real Madrid.
Alonso is flattered by the interest shown by Real Madrid, even if he has little say in where he ends up playing next season.
"The fact that Real wants you is always nice, above all, taking into account where I am in my career. But I've already said, at this point, what could happen is not my decision," Alonso said. "We will have to see what happens."
Alonso, however, said he was open to playing for the Spanish club, which has already spent more than £180 million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
Roma, meanwhile, say that Liverpool are on the move for midfielder Alberto Aquilani as a replacement for Alonso.
Benitez refused to take questions on the future of Spanish midfielder Alonso this week. Alonso arrived with the squad for an exhibition match against Thailand taking later today, and Liverpool's local supporters have left him in no doubt that they want him to remain at Anfield.
During a promotional event Tuesday at a Bangkok shopping mall, more than 250 fans chanted his name and waved banners reading "Alonso Please Stay". He acknowledged the fans but made no comment about the transfer talk.
