Despite Rafael Benitez’s protestations that he wants to keep hold of Xabi Alonso at Anfield, it’s looking increasingly likely that the Spaniard could become a Juventus player extremely soon. The midfielder is set to join former Reds team-mate Mo Sissoko in Turin after his agent held protracted talks with the Serie A giants yesterday. The Daily Telegraph report that it’s practically a done deal.
Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso appears to be on his way from Merseyside after his agent Inaki Ibanez spent five hours in negotiations in Italy.
Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli said: “We can’t deny our interest.
“But it’s important we get value for money.
“Managing director Jean-Claude Blanc is working on this and on other possibilities.”
Will this pave the way for Gareth Barry to join Liverpool? It will certainly be a shame to see Alonso leave the club and Reds fans will have many happy memories of a player who was part of the 2005 Champions League success in Istanbul. However, he’s been on the fringes of the first team for the past year and he certainly wouldn’t have been guaranteed first-team football at Anfield next term.