LIVERPOOL are bracing themselves for a imminent official bid from Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso with Florentino Perez today expected to take up presidency at the Spanish giants.

Perez is set to begin his second stint as president two weeks ahead of planned elections after none of the other prospective candidates was able to provide the cash guarantee required.

Alonso has long been a transfer target of Perez as he aims to rebuild Real Madrid around players from Spain’s triumphant Euro 2008 side.

Reports again emerged from Spain yesterday suggesting a £23million deal had already been agreed with Alonso bound for the Bernabeu and Gabriel Heinze coming the other way in part-exchange.

Liverpool once more moved to deny the claims, with manager Rafael Benitez reiterating the player has stated he is happy to stay at Anfield.

“The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi,” said Benitez.

“He had a very good season for us and can be an important player in the future.

“There is no agreement with Real and we want him to be part of our plans going forward.

“Xabi himself said only two weeks ago that he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool player.