Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool star Xabi Alonso wants Real Madrid deal done and dusted
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is keen for his future to be sorted out one way or the other as the long-running transfer saga regarding a possible move to Real Madrid continues to drag on.
Alonso has been linked with Madrid for most of the summer but the Spanish giants have so far been unwilling to meet Liverpool's asking price for the Euro 2008 winner, which is believed to be in the region of £30million.
Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow met with Madrid executive director Jose Angel Sanchez in Barcelona on Sunday to discuss Alonso, with the Reds in the city for a friendly against Espanyol.
Alonso, who has handed in a formal transfer request, was unaware of the meeting but was quoted as telling Spanish newspaper AS: 'It's reassuring to know that Madrid and Liverpool are talking seriously now. I decided a long time ago to stay on the margin of everything that was happening.
'My stance has been clear, as you all know. I'm a professional and I must wait for an agreement to be reached, but I hope it is resolved soon, for better or for worse.'
Meanwhile, Purslow confirmed to AS that he had spoken with Sanchez but that no agreement had been reached, saying: 'This (meeting) has only served to put our positions on the table. We need to continue talking.'
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has reiterated he does not want to lose Alonso.
Benitez, speaking after the 3-0 defeat against Espanyol, said: 'He is our player and we want him to stay.'
Former Chelsea forward Ben Sahar scored twice against a strong Liverpool team, captained by Steven Gerrard and Alonso came off the bench for the closing minutes.
Benitez brushed off the setback of losing in a match which was set up to officially open Espanyol's new stadium.
The Spaniard added: 'Nobody likes losing like that, but it's pre-season so it doesn't matter. I'm not worried about it.'
Asked if Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with Barcelona, will leave, Benitez said: 'No.'
