Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Valdano doubts Alonso hopes

16 Jun 2009 - 14:46:50

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Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano admits that his club are unlikely to be able to sign Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso this summer.

The big-spending Bernabeu club had targeted Alonso as a major target, having already smashed the world record to land AC Milan's Kaka, while also being close to an £80million deal for Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Valdano told Radio Marca and Onda Cero: "With regards to Xabi Alonso, Liverpool made an announcement on Sunday and it seems to me they don't want to sell him, so it will be hard for him to end up playing here.

"I've always liked him, since my first time at Real Madrid. I made a massive effort to bring him here a few years back.

"We met with Real Sociedad, but when I left the deal slipped into the background.

"Liverpool valued him at 18million euros last year because he wasn't an essential player, but he is now.

"They've given him more chances to play and he has responded magnificently."