This source suggests that the new man at the Bernabeu is looking to raid Anfield in the near future!

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News from Spain has indicated that Real Madrid are prepared to offer Liverpool £30 million in hard cash for both Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane.

The news item which was reported on Spanish radio valued Keane at £16 million and Alonso at £14 million both below Benitez valuation but close enough to test Benitez and the boards resolve.

It is clear to everyone that Keane to date has failed at Liverpool and that Alonso is permanently available and Benitez could do with the money to continue with his purchases none less so than Gareth Barry.

Real Madrid have a huge pot of cash for Juande Ramos the new coach to spend and both Alonso and Keane would certainly fulfil a role at Real Madrid, there is one problem however and this may be enough to scupper any plans this January.

Both players are cup tied for the Champions League and this may prove too much of an obstacle for Real Madrid to overcome, that said if Ramos is allowed to build for the future then the Spanish radio reports may well be true. (footylatest.com)

Now where do I start with this one? Clearly this rumour has come about by putting some constituent stories together to come up with a hybrid piece that is very, and I repeat, very unlikely to occur. Juande Ramos may have joined Real Madrid but would he really consider a move for Robbie Keane, much less a misfiring Keane, when his side has the following strikers at his disposal – Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Raul and Higuain. Given that the La Liga side has managed 33 goals in 14 matches its fair to say that the main problem they have is at the back (they have managed just one clean sheet in domestic action this season). Xabi Alonso may be a different kettle of fish altogether, Rafa showed in the summer that he would consider selling the Spanish international but the midfielder has impressed this term, however I think Benitez has re-thought this strategy and sees Xabi as part of his long term plans. Do Liverpool fans think that either player would be sold anytime soon?

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