Looks like a nice location to seal any deal, I wonder if they take Luncheon vouchers?

Juan Carlos I Hotel Barcelona

XABI ALONSO’S Liverpool career looks set to come to an end after Real Madrid indicated they are willing to pay in the region of £30 million for his services.

Reds officials met with Real executive director-general José Ángel Sánchez yesterday afternoon as the Spanish giants stepped up their bid to finally bring an end to their summer long pursuit of Alonso.

The talks took place at Liverpool’s team hotel in Barcelona prior to last night’s 3-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Espanyol and though a deal was not struck enough progress was made for Real’s confidence to rise that agreement is not far off.

Rafa Benitez has insisted all along that he will not accept a knockdown offer for the Spanish playmaker despite Alonso having indicated that he is ready to leave Anfield and the Liverpool manager’s patience appears to be paying off as Real finally got closer to the kind of bid he is looking for. (Liverpool Echo)

Expect this all to be sorted by today, tomorrow at the latest. Fingers crossed. I have always been a huge Xabi fan but this is taking far too long and we will run out of time to find a replacement, unless Real give us Wesley Sneijder, please, pretty please! Make it so!

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