Xabi Alonso along with Liverpool's other scorers at Chelsea, Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt and Lucas 460

David Silva of Valencia remains the priority, with Wigan Athletic’s promising central midfielder Lee Cattermole and Roma’s Alberto Aquilani among others that have been assessed.

Liverpool are determined to hold on to Javier Mascherano, who is a target for Barcelona.

However, the Catalans are unwilling to follow Real’s example by splashing huge amounts of cash on the midfielder, particularly having shelled out to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan for more than £40m.

That was backed up by Mascherano’s brother Sebastian, who said: “If Barcelona really come with a very good cash offer, I believe Javier may leave Liverpool as it would be the best for him and his family.

“But I think that if there is no good offer, they will not let him go.”

And yet another Liverpool midfielder attracting interest is Lucas Leiva, who is being tracked by Brazilian side Corinthians.

Reports in Brazil have stated Corinthians president Andres Sanches has declared the club keen to take the 22-year-old back to his home country.

Watch David Prentice’s reaction to Xabi Alonso's transfer request in a special video report at www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/video