Source: Daily_Mail
Real step up Alonso pursuit as Benitez tells Xabi he wants him at Liverpool
Real Madrid are ready to resume talks with Liverpool over midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Alonso has made it clear that he wants to move to Madrid but Anfield manager Rafa Benitez is still hoping he can be convinced to stay.
Benitez said: 'I think it's a question for him, not us. We signed him five years ago and we renewed his contract two years ago.
'We know that he's a great player and that's the reason we signed him and renewed his contract. We were not talking with Real Madrid and he knows our position. I was very clear the other day. He is our player and has three more years on his contract. At the end of the day it all depends on him.'
Meanwhile, Liverpool's American owners have concluded a deal to refinance the bank loan they took out to buy the club in 2007. The owners have reduced the £290m they owed to £230m, with £60m being repaid, half immediately.
