Juventus out of the running for Liverpool FC's Xabi Alonso

Jul 2 2009 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

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JUVENTUS have ruled themselves out of the running to sign Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Reports in Italy had suggested the Serie A club were preparing a bid for the 27-year-old who has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Alonso came close to joining Juve last summer but Liverpool’s failure to sign Gareth Barry meant the deal failed to materialise.

However, Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli insists they aren’t planning another swoop for the Spanish international.

“For the midfield, there are many names, but Xabi Alonso’s not one of those,” Cobolli Gigli said.

“I read in the press about our interest for him.

"He’s a good player, but I think that saying I’ve read his name in papers is where it ends.”