The Alonso Thread.

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Raeser	The Alonso Thread.	Lead	[-]
Posts: 405 (29/05/08 02:28:50) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Thought I'd give him his own thread as this rumour won't seem to go away. Juventus begin talks with Liverpool's Alonso from Footy Latest. Thursday 29 May 2008 - 06:18:30 Juventus chief Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is cautiously optimistic in the hunt sign Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. Xabi Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Socieded in 2004 and became a key figure for Benitez in midfield alongside Steven Gerrard. Alonso scored the goal which drew Liverpool level at 3-3 against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final. He has played 163 games for the Liverpool, and scored 14 goals. "It looks like his representative will arrive today," Gigli said. "We can't deny that we're interested, but there's always the problem of getting value for money." The Italian Press has reported that the Anfield star is prepared to accept a four-year contract worth £2.7m a season. "We want value for money and he costs too much. Our director general Jean-Claude Blanc is working on it," explained Gigli The Bianconeri are keen on investing in their side this term as they prepare for a return to European football's big time in the Champions League. Juventus are worried about paying over the odds after last year's signings Sergio Almiron and Tiago Mendes failed to make the grade. Benitez, as usual, has overvalued Alonso at around £15m and Juventus may pull out if the sum is not reduced but they are keen for Alonso to reform his partnership with Mohamed Sissoko in midfield. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Raeser		#1	[-]
Posts: 406 (29/05/08 02:33:26) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Liverpool star Xabi Alonso off to Juventus for £16m By David Maddock. Daily Mirror 29/05/2008 Xabi Alonso is on the verge of joining Juventus for £16m after five hours of talks in Turin last night. The Liverpool midfielder's agent Inaki Ibanez travelled to Italy to negotiate and agreed in principle a four-year contract. "We can't deny our interest," said Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli. "But it's important that we get value for money." The only sticking point is Liverpool's £16m asking price for the Spanish international, bought from Real Sociedad for £10m four years ago as manager Rafa Benitez's first signing. Juventus protest they want to go no higher than £12m, otherwise they will turn to Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani. But that is unlikely, because there is a will at Anfield to get the transfer done, then allow Benitez to concentrate his efforts - and funds - on bringing Gareth Barry to Anfield from Aston Villa. Alonso expects a deal to be reached by the end of the week, and he wants the transfer to Italy completed before his Euro 2008 campaign with Spain gets underway. Swiss international right back Philipp Degen has agreed a free transfer move to Liverpool and said: "My style will suit the Premier League, where the football is played moving forward. "But it's clear to me it won't be easy to get in the team." "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Raeser		#2	[-]
Posts: 407 (29/05/08 02:38:22) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Liverpool's Xabi Alonso on way to Juventus By Charlie Caroe. Telegraph. Last Updated: 6:56am BST 29/05/2008 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. Alonso, 26, whose appearances in a Liverpool shirt have been limited this season after the arrival of Argentine Javier Mascherano, looks likely to join Juventus in a £16 million deal. Buon viaggio: Rafael Benitez seems prepared to part company with Xabi Alonso, his first signing at Liverpool Claudio Ranieri's side are thought to be offering the Spaniard a four-year deal, although they are known to be reluctant to meet Liverpool's price despite both clubs being keen to finalise a deal. 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." Rafael Benitez is known to be eager to complete Alonso's move so he can concentrate his efforts on capturing the signature of Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry. The Basque footballer was Benitez's first signing at Anfield four years ago in a £10.5 million transfer from Real Sociedad. Alonso has scored 12 goals in 136 appearances for Liverpool, and played in their remarkable Champions League final comeback against AC Milan in 2005, scoring the third goal, after missing from the penalty spot. Juventus have also been linked with Frank Lampard, Werder Bremen's Diego and Chelsea target Rafael Van der Vaart. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
kevgoss		#3	[-]
Posts: 938 (29/05/08 03:12:59) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	One word GUTTED!!!
dfella		#4	[-]
Posts: 694 (29/05/08 04:29:59) Lawro Hater:Admin Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Big loss this. If I was Rafa I would have a rethink. Fancy A Pint?
Beardsleyslovechild	Alonso	#5	[-]
Posts: 539 (29/05/08 04:49:06) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Be a shame to see such a fine passer depart, but aside from a spell at the end of the season he's been off his game for far too long. If he goes, we'll hopefully get close to sixteen million smackers to buy some quality (and will have turned a tidy profit), if he doesn't we've got the quality there. Apparently Juve reckon they'll get away with paying twelve mill but we're not budging from sixteen. Like the way Rafa's doing business, we're not a soft touch in the market any more.
wembley78		#6	[-]
Posts: 5214 (29/05/08 05:35:46) Site Saddo Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Beardsleyslovechild wrote: Be a shame to see such a fine passer depart, but aside from a spell at the end of the season he's been off his game for far too long. Agree with that assesment BLC. Xabi now seems to struggle with the pace of the premier league always needing an extra split second to pass the ball. This is especially prevalant against the other 'top sides' where they constanly pressure him to stop him passing and force the mistake. However in the CL where time on the ball is easier to come by he excels. If we do get £15m-£16m for him then that is good business on our part. As much as Xabi has been good for LFC and some of his performamces have been superb, i cannot see us winning the PL with Xabi as a regular in the side. That is why imho Rafa is looking at Barry. Someone who doesn't need an extra split second to pass the ball whether its to the side or long. It would be nice if we could keep Xabi for the CL. Mind you would have been nice if we could have kept Luis for the CL as well. Somedays you are the bird and others you are the statue, but, if you can, you should try to do something you love everyday
uly55es		#7	[-]
Posts: 1346 (29/05/08 11:22:50) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Though I admire Barry and hope we sign him, letting Xabi go amounts to swapping one for the other, which IMO is not an improvement and still leaves us short for the the 4-2-3-1 system Rafa wants to play. Letting Xabi go is a mistake to me, unless we get some 20 million for him.
Raeser		#8	[-]
Posts: 408 (30/05/08 03:33:17) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	This from todays Mirror. Xabi Alonso delays Juventus move 30/05/2008 Xabi Alonso is delaying completing his move to Juventus until after Euro 2008. The Spanish midfielder, has agreed in principle to a £16million deal that will take him to Italy. But he is determined to keep his options open, hoping for a switch back to his homeland. Liverpool are expected to do a deal with Aston Villa's Gareth Barry next week. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Raeser	Alonso's agent tries to seal deal	#9	[-]
Posts: 409 (31/05/08 13:08:35) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Alonso's agent tries to seal deal By Adam Bryant. Saturday, 31st May 2008 Xabi Alonso's agent insists his player is keen to move to Juventus. "It's true that my client is wanted by Real Madrid but at the moment we are only dealing with Juventus," Inaki Ibanez told the Italian press. "At the moment Alonso is focused on the European Championship but he has told me that he is proud that Zidane's and Platini's former club want him." Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is said to be eager for the move to go through to enable him to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Raeser		#10	[-]
Posts: 411 (31/05/08 13:16:42) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Chance of Real Madrid move for Xabi Alonso May 31 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post JUVENTUS'S hopes of capturing Xabi Alonso are under threat with Real Madrid poised to enter the race to sign the Liverpool midfielder. The Spanish club have admitted defeat in their open pursuit of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo after the newly-crowned European champions threatened to report them to FIFA over their conduct in trying to tempt the Portuguese winger to the Bernabeu. With Ronaldo remaining at Old Trafford, Real are now looking at alternative high-profile captures to satisfy their supporters and Alonso, a Spanish international with 40 caps, fits the bill. President Ramon Calderon said: "You can't buy what the owner doesn't want to sell. We have not interfered with Manchester United's contract agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo. We're sorry that Manchester United, a club with which we have an excellent relationship, is annoyed with us. "I want to clear this up and assure them we are not going to influence any player to break a contractual relationship. We are not going to start a conflict. If a club doesn't want to sell a player, why would we insist that they do sell him?" Juventus remain keen to reunite Alonso with Momo Sissoko, his former colleague in the heart of the Liverpool midfield, but the Basque-born player is keen to keep his options open. One of Juventus's directors, Jean-Claude Blanc, met with Anfield officials last week and was warned that it would take an offer in the region of £16million to prise Alonso away. At the time, Liverpool stressed that they did not need to sell the player but with Gareth Barry expected to arrive from Aston Villa next week, the 26-year-old is resigned to accepting his days with the club are numbered. His agent Inaki Ibanez stated that he had a clear idea that Liverpool would like to sell his client but stressed that a decision would not take place until after next month's European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland. One sticking point over a potential move to Serie A's most successful side is Liverpool's transfer valuation with the Italians reluctant to pay more than £14million for a player who cost Rafael Benitez £10.5m from Real Sociedad when he arrived at Anfield in 2004. However, Alonso's price tag would prove no such problem for big spenders Madrid who had been prepared to fork out a world record for Ronaldo. The player, whose partner Nagore Aranburu gave birth to a son Jon in March, is believed to be holding out for a return to his homeland for his young family. The Turin-based outfit are under pressure to deliver a big name recruit after already missing out on former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who opted to join their rivals AC Milan. Meanwhile, Liverpool's second choice goalkeeper Charles Itandje is attracting interest from FA Cup winners Portsmouth plus former club Lens, who have just been relegated, and fellow French side Rennes. The 25-year-old, who failed to play in the Premier League last season, saw his only first-team action in seven FA and Carling Cup games. Rafael Benitez is in the market for a fresh understudy to Pepe Reina and has targeted Itandje's compatriot Ulrich Rame. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Beardsleyslovechild	alonso	#11	[-]
Posts: 540 (01/06/08 14:37:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hands up who hates players agents ?
Socratease1		#12	[-]
Posts: 2580 (01/06/08 15:00:24) Systonizo Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hand raised, Blc, though I do understand the need for Rafa to raise revenue, but if Xabi wants to move on - then fair enough, but if he sees an outcry from our supporters, this would/could change his perception. I agree with Uly in that it would be daft just to do just a straight swap (why isn't it spelt 'swop'?) with Barry as far as first Team personnel are concerned. The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance. Socrates
SoccerKid08		#13	[-]
Posts: 201 (02/06/08 16:48:15) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Have been gone for a while I am not sure how I feel about the Xabi rumors, but I certain that he will be missed greatly. I dont know if anyone has been following the Greatest Premier League Games series that has been showing on .TV, but they had the Charlton game from 2006. That game showed the class of Xabi and when he is playing at his high standard, you can see how easy it is for him to spray the ball around. The guy is world class, and I really dont see losing him can be considered as improving the sqaud especially if you are replacing him with Gareath Barry. I know that we need to sell in order to buy, but selling Xabi would be a mistake. ONCE A RED.... ALWAYS A RED
wembley78		#14	[-]
Posts: 5228 (09/06/08 22:22:38) Site Saddo Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Alonso admits Juve liking Liverpool schemer could be heading to the Old Lady Last updated: 7th June 2008 Alonso: Juve switch on the cards Xabi Alonso admits he is flattered by Juventus' interest in him, amid speculation his switch from Liverpool to Serie A could soon be completed. The classy Liverpool schemer is currently preparing for Spain's Euro 2008 bid against a backdrop of ongoing uncertainty over his future. Earlier in the summer he rejected out of hand reports that have linked him with a return to Spain, with Real Madrid credited as holding a long-standing interest in his services. But when quizzed on Juventus, who Liverpool are engaged in discussions with, Alonso conceded it would be an honour to wear the prestigious black and white stripes. Historic club "I know the Bianconeri follow me," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport from Spain's training camp. "I know there has already been contact with Liverpool and my agent too. "I can say that I am really proud to be linked with a strong and historical side like Juventus." Alonso went on to his express his admiration for those players that stayed in Turin despite Juventus' demotion to Serie B for the part they played in a match-fixing scandal. Admiration "I know what happened at Juve," he added. "For this reason I have big respect for (Alessandro) Del Piero, (Gianluigi) Buffon, (Pavel) Nedved and (David) Trezeguet - big champions who had the courage to play in Serie B. "This is something I like a lot. After four years in La Liga and four years in England, playing in Italy would be like completing my career." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_3660862,00.html Somedays you are the bird and others you are the statue, but, if you can, you should try to do something you love everyday
Raeser		#15	[-]
Posts: 414 (13/06/08 13:31:11) Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Barry's Liverpool move threatened after Juventus reject Alonso Jun 13 2008 By Lisa Smith Gareth Barry could yet be staying put at Aston Villa after Juventus unwittingly threw a spanner in the works and his impending move to Liverpool last night by cooling their interest in Xabi Alonso. The Italians revealed they were looking at other midfielders in the Italian press throwing Villa manager Martin O'Neill a lifeline in his fight with Liverpool to keep his "Captain Fantastic". Reds boss Rafa Benitez is reliant on the sale of Alonso to the Serie A side in a £16 million move to fund the purchase of Villa midfielder Barry after O'Neill ruled out any cash plus player deals and also rejected Liverpool's latest offer for the England midfielder - a bid in excess of £13 million. Liverpool's Spanish boss was dealt the hammer blow yesterday when Juventus - who have themselves taken a Villa player this summer in Swedish defender Olof Mellberg - announced they were switching their attention from Alonso to Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Alonso deal had looked almost done and dusted earlier this week with the Spanish player's agent travelling to Turin for talks with club officials but Juve officials have now admitted that manager Claudio Ranieri is now looking at other players. It is thought the former Chelsea boss is put off by the high asking price Liverpool are demanding for their star. O'Neill, a television pundit at the European Championships out in Austria and Switzerland, said yesterday that he felt Liverpool needed to show him some respect when biding for his skipper and make a fair offer.He has so far insisted he will not sell his star man unless the price is right and is thought to be hanging out for an improved offer, He said: "He (Barry) was the last person to have the captain's armband in the last England game - so the offer Liverpool have made is just not acceptable even though they have upped it. O'Neill has conceded however that he will not stand in his captain's way after he admitted he wanted to move to Merseyside. The Northern Irishman however will not allow Barry to go unless he feels the price is right. Liverpool have so far had three bids refused for 27-year-old Barry who has served ten years in claret and blue and was due a testimonal this summer. In what has been a black couple of days up on Merseyside for Benitez, the Liverpool manager also learned yesterday that newly appointed Chelsea boss Luis Felipe Scolari may be targetting star striker Fernando Torres after revealing the Spaniard top of his wish-list. Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant himself tried to entice Torres to Stamford Bridge but was given short shrift from Benitez but Scolari is due to plan a major overhaul of the Blues once his duties with Portugal at the Euros 2008 are dealt with. He has already been promised all the funding necessary - thought to be in the region of £100 million - to bring Chelsea on next season as they strive to go one better than last season when they just missed out on the Champions League crown losing to Manchester United on penalties in the final in Moscow. I can't say I'll be unhappy if this deal should fall through. One Alonso is worth two Barry's in my opinion. "For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"
Scorchio		#16	[-]
Posts: 2 (18/06/08 07:04:35) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Xabi has lost it in the league, he got a little better at the end of the season but 2 season of being ok is not good enough, if we get 16 mil for him then that's good buisness. I have a feeling that Rafa may have a big signing lined up after the euros, and he will spring it on us out of nowhere, not sure who but it will be a winger or a striker who is playing in the Euros. *You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.*
Beardsleyslovechild	Xabi	#17	[-]
Posts: 551 (18/06/08 17:40:19) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tell you what, I watched the Spain v Greece match tonight and Xabi Alonso looked like his old self tonight, Thought he was sublime. Excuisite passing of all ranges, nearly did a Luton again and scored from inside his own half and was so unlucky with a 30 yard screamer which hit the inside of the post. On that form, he's the nearesy throw back to Jan Molby we've had. I for one, will be sad to see Xabi go if he's back to that kind of form. For me, selling players of his calibre is only weakening the squad. To say that Gareth Barry is worth 5 million more than him is utter, utter madness
uly55es		#18	[-]
Posts: 1366 (18/06/08 20:14:23) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Adding Barry while still keeping Alonso is strenghening the squad--I agree that letting him go, or replacing him with Barry, is crazy.
Scorchio		#19	[-]
Posts: 6 (19/06/08 03:35:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I watched the Spain game and you have to remember he was playing against an ageing Greek midfield and a team who who were yet to score in the comp, I really don't think its a good game to judge a return to form on. Barry has been consistant his whole career and should have been in the England team a long time ago. *You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.*
uly55es		#20	[-]
Posts: 1369 (19/06/08 15:16:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Barry is certainly better than Lampard in my book, I'll agree with that.