Liverpool: Liverpool sign Alonso

Rafael Benitez is hoping to fund a 10million raid for Real Sociedad playmaker Xabi Alonso after sanctioning the shock sale of Danny Murphy.

Liverpool on Sunday agreed a 2.5million fee with Tottenham for the 27-year-old England international after telling Benitez he had to raise funds before he could spend again.

And the new manager has moved swiftly to land his top target Alonso, devastating Murphy with the news he was no longer wanted on Friday and meeting officials from the Spanish club at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Benitez watched the central midfielder produce a stylish first-half display in Sociedad's 2-2 draw with Everton and hopes to make the Spanish international his showpiece summer signing before the end of the week.

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[Edited on 20/8/04 by TRD]

This would be a massive signing for Liverpool, Alonso is a great player and he would fit into the side no problem.

Real Sociedad have confirmed they have received a formal approach from Liverpool for Xabi Alonso and that they are prepared to sell the Spain midfielder.

The Basque club announced they had received a bid - thought to be worth 10.7million - in a statement issued after their training session on Tuesday.

ManU are going to have their hands full challenging Liverpool for third place. Obviously first and second place belong to Arsenal and Chelsea.

Originally posted by websurfer
ManU are going to have their hands full challenging Liverpool for third place. Obviously first and second place belong to Arsenal and Chelsea.

We shall see. The league will not be as easy as last season and Arsenal won't be in the first two thats a cert.

Xabi Alonso has been omitted from Real Sociedad's squad for a friendly on Wednesday, fuelling rumours he is on the verge of joining Liverpool.

The Spanish club have already confirmed they have received an offer for the midfielder - thought to be 10.7m.

And Sociedad also revealed they are willing to sell the player, who played twice at Euro 2004, at the right price.

Alonso, 22, could replace midfielder Danny Murphy, who joined Charlton on Tuesday for 2.5m.

Spain international midfielder Xabi Alonso cannot wait to complete his proposed move to Liverpool, according to his agent.

The Real Sociedad midfielder is currently with his national team preparing for Wednesday's friendly against Venezuela but is hoping that upon his return to San Sebastian later this week that he will be a Liverpool player.

"Xabi Alonso is looking forward for the deal to be completed," Alonso's agent Inaki Ibanez said.

"I know he watched Liverpool's game this weekend (1-1 draw at Tottenham) and he is focused on the possibility of playing in the English Premiership next season."

Alonso, who has three years left in his contract with Real, has been at the centre of the transfer gossip with Spanish giants Real Madrid also keen to sign the player.

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it will be some move for liverpool if they get him, alonso and gerrard sound a good midfield in the centre. although, i remeber last season man utd wanted alonso and the pulled out and i think ferguson came out and said he was pre contracted for the next season to join real madrid? if that is true, maybe as real got owen on the cheap they are allowing it so alonso can go to liverpool

still...good move for liverpool if it happens

Liverpool's rebuilding under new manager Rafael Benitez gathered pace after Real Sociedad revealed they had agreed terms with the Anfield side for the transfer of Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Sociedad issued a statement saying the player, who is currently with Spain preparing for the friendly with Venezuela in Las Palmas, will sign in the next few hours.

Real Sociedad's Spanish international midfielder Xabi Alonso has completed a transfer to Liverpool, the club have announced on their website.

New Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is a long-time admirer of Alonso, who is set to play alongside Steven Gerrard.

This guy is meant to be a class act, I can't wait to see him in action.

am looking forward to seing him in action, he gets raving reports about how good he is

with him signing, its gonna be him and gerrard right? what you think will happen with dieter hamann?

lol. after just talking about hamann

Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann says he is sick of speculation surrounding his Anfield future.

The Germany international was strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside during the summer, with interest emanating from his home country.

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Hamann will be good cover, he's only got a year left on his contract anyway.

yer, i agree for cover hes good, i think he'll be back to germany in the summer unless he has an amazing season.

is salif daio still lurking around hehe