RAFAEL BENITEZ secured a bittersweet victory over Real Madrid last night when the Spanish club met his €35 million demand for Xabi Alonso and took their summer spending spree through the €235 million barrier. Alonso will undergo a medical in the Spanish capital today after Real finally relented over an asking price that Benitez had steadfastly refused to lower all summer.
The 27-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract at the Bernabeu worth €4.5 million a year after tax, a package that was agreed in principle between Real and Alonso several months ago and prompted the Spain international to tell Benitez that he wished to end a successful five-year stay on Merseyside.
Liverpool had previously rejected a €29 million offer from Real for their popular midfielder, who was Benitez’ first signing at Anfield in a €12.5 million move from Real Sociedad in 2004, with the manager adamant that only a fee of €35 million would trigger a deal.
Liverpool’s new managing director, Christian Purslow, reiterated there would be no compromise on the fee in a meeting with Real’s executive director general, Jose Angel Sanchez, at a meeting in Barcelona on Sunday.
Two days later, while Alonso was training with Liverpool at Melwood yesterday afternoon, Real returned with the full asking price and the midfielder was withdrawn from a scheduled pre-season trip to Oslo and travelled instead to Madrid.
Alonso’s impending departure represents a major setback for Liverpool supporters, who voted the Spaniard second to Steven Gerrard in man-of-the-match awards last season, and also for Benitez ahead of a season that brings expectations of the club’s first league title for 20 years. The disappointment for the manager, however, will be offset by an injection of €35 million into his transfer budget and the fact he has enticed an extra £12 million out of Real for a player he tried to sell to Juventus for €21 million only 12 months ago.
Benitez’ attempt to sell Alonso against his wishes last summer, to finance a deal for the then Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry, broke a previously close relationship between the manager and player. Alonso subsequently described their relationship as “professional” and, as his desire to leave for Real confirms, was hurt by his manager’s actions, although he responded by producing arguably the best form of his Liverpool career last season.
Alonso’s impressive reaction to the events of last summer, coupled with the need for proven Premier League talent ahead of a title challenge, prompted Benitez to revise his view on the midfielder. But he has been aware of the player’s determination to leave for several months and knew Real’s improved spending power under Florentino Perez could transform his transfer budget.
With €35 million banked for Alonso, Liverpool are now expected to make an €21 million offer for the Roma midfielder, Alberto Aquilani.
The Italian international is under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until 2013 but is believed to be receptive to a lucrative move to Anfield. The Valencia forward David Silva is another long-standing target of Benitez, who has spent €20 million on Glen Johnson.
GuardianService
