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 5 - 24 of 64
lfc with andy youll never wa nk alone hahahahaha
Still on that register mikey!!! Not allowed out yet!!! It's sooo nice outside too!!! Teach u you dirty little man!!!!
lfc walking over man u.. that IS a laugh too
lfc I am a man city fan.. you know the RICHEST team in the world.. you know the one thats buying the best players, you know the one that is going to overtake you this year, you know the one that you wish you could be
your a sad red to ss er
rafa is a pillock though, houllier was better
dirk kuyt looks like shaggy
mike hunt u r a ????
just admit it your team isnt attractive to any decent players anymore.
to be honest since souness you have just attracted the wrong types.
youre cr ap and you know it
mike,you're a c**k,why is it you're always ere,f**k off manc scum. r u fed up of reading about your s**t team,all the rats jumping off the sinking ship? You r boring me,F**K OFF!!!
zynky hahaha
pr i ck
comment 7
you are a nob cheese
gary are you rock hard??? in the lads showers
roddenberry/darren m chesney cant you think of aything else to write you racist scumbag
wayne is only speaking the truth
wayne. your a twit.
wayne ker is his full name
For all those that keep on putting YAWN (as an anagram for YNWA) Don't forget that Name: Redshite C**t is an anagram of Manchester United.
That Wayne scares me he must be rock hard..on a keyboard..silly little @#$%!!
he shouldnt sell alonso, yes, its alot of money, but liverpool almost won last season, but now, guess what, man u just lost their best player and doesnt look like they can get anyone near his skill level to come to them in return, ribery looks like hes going to spain, villa isnt for sail unless they give a huge load of money, around 50m, which i doubt theyll do, so now it looks like liverpool have the edge, esp. if they can make one more buy without selling anyone else.
hey wayne @#$% getting nervous are we nobody wants 2 sign 4 the manures wat liverpool will show yous next year alonso is going nowhere mashis going nowhere torres is going nowhere watch us going
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