Anfield target wants Bernabeu exit.
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Liverpool are to push on with ambitious moves to bring back former Anfield hero Xabi Alonso after being given the green light to make a move for the Spanish international who has told Real Madrid he wants to leave.
The experienced midfielder has told his Bernabeu employers that he does not intend on signing a new contract according to respected Spanish site Intereconmica and with just over a year to run on his current deal the La Liga title holders may look to sell the 31 year old to avoid losing him on a free transfer in the summer of 2014.
Alonso is something of a cult hero at Liverpool and is thought to be interested in a return to the club to finish his career and though such a move would go against Brendan Rodgers’ youthful transfer policy it seems likely that the Merseyside outfit would be willing to make an exception for such an accomplished performer.
Italian source TuttoMercato claim that Alonso is now at the top of Liverpool’s transfer priority list for the summer transfer window and clearly such a capture would please the club’s supporters and add extra quality to the club’s midfield.
Alonso spent five successful seasons at Liverpool under Rafa Benitez, winning the Champions League title in his debut season at the club, and has also proven to be a big success at Real Madrid but it appears that the World Cup winner is ready to consider a move away from the Spanish capital and may be ready to return to the Premier League side that helped put him on the footballing map.
Liverpool sold Alonso to Real Madrid in a £30m deal back in August 2009 and have arguably never adequately replaced the Spaniard. There is certainly room for the former Real Sociedad man in the centre of the park as the likes of Jordan Henderson, and to a lesser extent, Joe Allen have failed to make a consistent impact since their respective moves to the club.
Alonso made 210 appearances for Liverpool during his spell, helping the club to two Premier League third place finishes as well as a runners-up spot in his final campaign.