Real Madrid chief concedes defeat in pursuit of Liverpool FC's Xabi Alonso

Jun 17 2009 by David Prentice, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has won his battle of wills with Real Madrid, after the Spanish giants admitted last night they have finally given up their long-running pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Bernabeu president Florentino Perez is a long-time admirer of Liverpool's Spanish international and has openly declared his desire to add the playmaker to his latest squad of 'Galacticos.'

But it appears that Rafael Benitez's stubborn refusal to budge has won the day.

Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano claimed last night there will be at least four new faces to follow Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo into the Bernabeu this summer, but that Alonso would not be one of them.

“It is always complicated to sign players, even though it may not seem like it by how fast we’ve signed Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo,” he 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 did 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.”

Benitez will welcome the news from Spain, and will be delighted that Portsmouth have accepted a £17m bid for England defender Glen Johnson.

The player has told Anfield officials that he wants to join last season's Premier League runners-up and both parties are hoping a deal can be concluded swiftly.

Chelsea and Manchester City have both been chasing the 24-year-old, but the player has told Pompey officials that Liverpool is his preferred destination.

The fee handed over will be significantly less than £17m, with money still owed for last summer's transfer of Peter Crouch.

Some reports have suggested that Liverpool would seek to make up the remainder by offloading Alvaro Arbeloa to Real Madrid for £8m and returning Andrea Dossena to Italy.