Anfield side determined to win race to re-sign former hero.
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Liverpool are readying a lucrative package they hope will tempt former Anfield hero Xabi Alonso into making a return to the Merseyside club this summer.
The 31 year old Spanish international is reticent about signing a new Bernabeu contract and with just over a year to run on his current deal Liverpool are reportedly ready to offer the midfielder a four year deal worth as much as £100k a week as Brendan Rodgers looks to add some experience to his squad which he hopes will help balance out his push for a more youthful transfer policy.
Liverpool are willing to offer as much as £15m to seal a deal with Real Madrid, such is their determination to sign the World Cup winner. The La Liga giants may well elect to cash in on Alonso if he refuses to put pen to paper on a new contract, knowing that in a years time they could see the £30m signing leave on a free transfer.
Any offer could also include the prospect of a coaching role in the latter stages of his playing career, a move that could tempt Alonso when he calls time on his illustrious playing career.
Liverpool’s American owners are not likely to hand Rodgers a mammoth transfer war-chest this summer given that their side has failed to secure a coveted Champions League berth but they see a move to sign Alonso as a bankable prospect that can be offset to some extent with promotional incentives and shirt sales that come from the acquisition of one of the footballing world’s top talents.
Alonso has been relatively free of injury concerns during his four year spell at Real Madrid and Liverpool may well feel that the offer of a four year contract is a reasonable one despite the fact that the Spaniard will be 35 at the close of such a deal.
Rodgers is keen on continuing to bring in young talents as he plans for the long term but the Northern Irishman is well aware that a balance of youth and experience could be key to his side’s push to re-capture a seat at football’s top table, namely a place in the Champions League and the ability to mount genuine challenges for major honours.
The Liverpool boss has seen Steven Gerrard find a renewed impetus this term and feels Alonso could be a great asset and the Anfield side are believed to have received encouraging signs that the Real Madrid man could be open to returning to the club he served with distinction for five years during the Rafa Benitez reign, during which time the midfield maestro played a key role in two Champions League final spots, including the now famous 2005 win in Istanbul, as well as a Premier League runners-up spot.