Source: Eurosport
Madrid pessimistic on Alonso
Jorge Valdano admits Real Madrid are some distance away from Liverpool's valuation of Xabi Alonso.
Madrid have been closely linked with a move for the Spain midfielder as part of their summer rebuilding under new president Florentino Perez, which has already seen the Primera Division outfit splash out almost £200million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol.
However, while Valdano admits Alonso remains one of their targets, the Madrid director general wants the price to be right.
"Xabi Alonso is a priority if he fits into our budget, and this doesn't seem the case. We are very far from the figures that Liverpool have set out," Valdano was quoted as telling Spanish radio station Onda Madrid.
Valdano added on Cadena Ser: "Liverpool have taken up a difficult stance over Xabi Alonso. I don't like to talk about the private details of negotiations.
"We are studying many alternatives. We want someone who can channel the play and there aren't many like that in the world."
