Euro champ Alonso keeps Liverpool waiting as Juventus wait in wings with £16m offer
Liverpool may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from
holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder's future.
Alonso has been given a three-week break following Spain's successful Euro
2008 campaign, with his proposed £16million move to Juventus seemingly on
hold.
But Alonso admits to having 'no idea' where he will be playing next season.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needs funds from player sales to maintain his
interest in Aston Villa's Gareth Barry and what is believed to be a
player-plus cash offer for Tottenham's Irish forward Robbie Keane.
Alonso told Spanish football expert Guillem Balague's website,
www.guillembalague.com: 'I have no idea [what the future holds]. Right now
I am just thinking about going on holiday, sitting back and relaxing.
'We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and
to take it all in.
'I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to
happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get
back.'
Alonso's performances have made him a European champion for club and
country since joining Liverpool, and many fans do not want to see him sold.
Some are dismayed that the current American ownership seem unable to fund
Benitez's transfer dealing without selling high-profile players.
Talks between Juventus and Liverpool over Alonso are believed to have
stalled over the fee demanded by Benitez.
Benitez is involved in a delicate financial balancing act, and wants to
offload Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Scott Carson.
John Arne Riise has moved to Roma for £4m, and Harry Kewell has been
released, with reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje on his way to Galatasaray
for £2m.
Yossi Benayoun and Steve Finnan could also depart.
Benitez is believed to have offered Crouch plus £5m to Tottenham for Keane,
a lifelong Liverpool fan.
Portsmouth also want Crouch, a situation confirmed by Pompey chief
executive Peter Storrie yesterday. But Benitez clearly want to use the
England striker as a makeweight in a deal for Keane.
Benitez's activity in the transfer market continues as American co-owners
Tom Hicks and George Gillett maintain their search for funding for the new
LFC stadium - as the club now wish the project to be named - planned for
Stanley Park.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) are holding off on the
delivery of a £9m grant for the project until the club show they have the
money for the £350m scheme.
Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, has held talks with Kop
Holdings, the Americans' company, over funding for the new stadium.
Last week the club started preliminary work in Stanley Park, with both
Gillett and Hicks being quoted on Liverpool's website together for the
first time in months.
The work is being financed by the £60million set aside from the January
re-financing package which is likely to run out by the end of the year.
The £9million from the NWDA will fund regeneration work around the stadium
and is a drop in the ocean considering the overall costs of the scheme.
posted by lfc vancouver @ 10:53 AM
