Fernando Torres: 'I want Xabi Alonso to stay at Liverpool FC'
STRIKER Fernando Torres has insisted it would be "a serious loss to Liverpool" if Xabi Alonso completed a move to Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants’ pursuit of the Liverpool midfielder is set to come to a head with Reds manager Rafael Benitez keen for the Spain international’s future to be cleared up before his squad reassemble tomorrow following a three-day break.
It is believed Benitez has threatened to pull the plug on negotiations if Madrid do not meet his £30million valuation of the player before the weekend - and Torres is hoping his compatriot stays with the club.
The striker told a national newspaper: "It would be a bad piece of work if Xabi left - he plays his cards close to his chest so I don’t know what is going to happen.
"I’d put Xabi’s own wishes ahead of everything else, of course, but he’s got three years left on his contract with us and I’d love it if he stays.
"It would be a serious loss for Liverpool if he left this summer."
Torres’ views are in stark contrast to former Reds goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, who yesterday claimed a move to Real Madrid would represent a "dream come true" for Alonso.
Dudek, now the back-up goalkeeper to Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu, said: "He is Spanish and all the Spanish guys want to play for Real Madrid.
"This is a dream come true for them and Xabi knows that he’s not the only one."
Liverpool have announced that they have agreed a fee for full-back Alvaro Arbeloa to join Real Madrid.
The deal is worth £3.5million and is subject to a medical, which the Spanish international is expected to have at the Bernabeu today.
The announcement from Anfield underlines that the 26-year-old’s move will not, as had been claimed, form part of a double deal that would also take Xabi Alonso to the Spanish club.
Arbeloa is in the final year of his contract, having joined Liverpool for £2.6m from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007. He played 99 games for the club and scored two goals.
Liverpool consider the deal to be good business considering the player could leave for nothing next summer, and manager Benitez now has plenty of other options at right-back.
Benitez has already spent £17.5million on England full-back Glen Johnson, who would have taken Arbeloa’s place in the side.
Liverpool also have Swiss international Philipp Degen now fit after rib and lung injuries ruled him out for all of last season, while Jamie Carragher has also filled in effectively at right-back.
Liverpool are also expected to soon announce the departure of Italian defender Andrea Dossena to Napoli.
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