Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez still faces a fight to keep hold of midfielder Xabi Alonso, with Real Madrid apparently reluctant to take no for an answer.
The Reds boss has insisted he does not want to sell the Spain international - but with reports of a potential £30million offer looming, he may have to reconsider. Benitez has admitted he has the finance available for one more transfer until he can free up some more money by selling on players.
"We have a plan. We can sign one more player if necessary, but that's without any players leaving," said the Liverpool boss.
Alonso would not be on the manager's list of potential departures, because his partnership with Javier Mascherano - a transfer target for Barcelona - is integral to the way the team plays.
But 27-year-old Alonso is one of Liverpool's most saleable assets and Benitez must weigh up what difference the cash from any deal with Madrid would make to his squad - who ran Barclays Premier League champions Manchester United very close last season.
Benitez hopes to generate funds with the sales of Sebastien Leto and Andriy Voronin - both loaned out last season - left-back Andrea Dossena, who could return to Italy after just one season at Anfield, and possibly Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa's position has come under threat from the £17million arrival of England right-back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth, that deal expected to be formally completed in the next couple of days.
Benitez would be happy for the Spain defender to stay. But with Real's general manager Jorge Valdano expressing an interest, the quietly consistent defender may be offloaded.
"Alvaro Arbeloa has had a very good season but he has one year left on his contract," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.
"If he signs that will be good because we will have more competition, but if we get a good offer we will have to consider it."
Comment 40 - 59 of 59
We'll never walk alone because our fans stay with us until the end. Unlike some team's fans that leave early when you're losing 4-1. Wonder who that was? Off to the pub or the dole queue?! Records always get broken, that's what they're there for, but don't presume you'll do it, you just got rid of your grease monkey and aren't replacing him. No need for the sing while you're winning attitude, try working on your stand by your team no matter what anthem instead.
hey hey
Sell Degen, Dossena, Pennant, Plessis, Leto, El Zhar or even Arbeloa and Voronin too! But nobody else! And bring up some reserve team players like Darby, Kelly, Spearing, Nemeth, Dalla Valle, Pacheco, San Jose, Gulacsi or anybody! There are a lot of good youngsters! And buy a "number 10", if Voronin is leaving! That's all! And be the Champions!
If Liverpool can keep this squad together, they will be Champions this time!
Manchester United are the top side in England at the moment and also for the past 18 years, they have been the biggest, best supported team for over 60 years, so they must be doing something right. I think the team next season will flourish without Ronaldo, they will bond more as a unit, more as a team. This is Manchester United, this Sir Alex Ferguson not some excited little upstarts, false pretenders like Liverpool and Rafael Benitez. Benathus by name, beneath us by nature. I thank you.
xabi dont go, remember istanbul 2005, make yourself part of the furniture lad, LFC FOREVER
reddevils_4life99 Man U won the world club final? its hardly anything to brag about 2 bloody matches against third rate Egyptian sides what a joke just another jumped up worthless money making trophy!!!!!!!! get real
i am back lads and the fog on the tyne is mine
reddevils_4life99 way are here on liverpool news board go follow your team you fukn scum your always on liverpool news are that scared or obsessed with the greats english side so just buss off and go follow your team stubid
@#$% u alll hala madrid
Alonso is going nowhere...
Wayne mate if Liverpool is so $hit why spend so much of your time posting about Liverpool!?????
PS you lost the bet we made ManU V Barca and is £10 due! pay it to any good charity .
Sorry WANGE.
HOW YA DOING MIKE THESE SCOUSERS ARE ST**HOUSES FACT
H GARVEY IS A BIG PUFF
Punishment, lmao. How can a nerd that sits at a pc all nite and probably all day talking rubbish give me any punishment. U have no life. No matter what u say, ur a nerd with no friends and whatever u do say is laughable at the maximum. My mum rode u, ohh no, dont say that im gonna cry,lmao, i never heard that before. What an idiot.
H GARVEY I WAS NOT TALKIN TO YOU I WAS TALKIN TO MARK NOBHEAD YOU KEEP YA DIRTY FINGER PICKIN NOSE OUT TIT!!!!
LIVERSCUM LOSER
MIKE, IT MUST OF BEEN PAINFUL WAITING 30MINS FOR SOMEONE TO REPLY TO UR NONSENSE. ARE U THAT SAD TO SIT AT A PC THAT LONG. NO FRIENDS,LMAO
WAYNE, I KNOW THATS HOW UTD GET MOST OF THIER SUPPORTERS. BANDWAGON......... I AINT JUMPING SHIP DOPE. WHO DID U SUPPORT BEFORE UTD, LOSER
OLD NEWSFLASH, Mikes a sad loser
Mike, u loser. Ur mum probably tells u that ur funny{she has too, cause she loves u,lol}, but sadly u dont have the brain power to raise a grin from anyone. Now piss off manc scum.
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