Four years after leaving Anfield, Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso is still revered by Liverpool fans, many of whom remain hopeful that Spaniard will return to the club at some point. Over the summer, both Alonso and Brendan Rodgers put the stoppers on any possible transfer, but new reports suggest that the midfielder could be available for a knockdown price in January. Should Liverpool go in for him?
According to Spanish newspaper Marca today:
"Alonso...is yet to renew his contract, which comes to an end on 30th June 2014.
"Florentino Pérez has reportedly set his price tag at €6 million"
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April the Spaniard who admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield - hinted that a Liverpool move in the future could be a possibility'. He said:
"I have not decided where to play in the future. My return to Anfield? I had an amazing time during my long experience in Liverpool with the jersey of the Reds."
When asked in July if there is any chance of Alonso returning to Liverpool, Rodgers told reporters:
"Xabi Alonso was an incredible player for this club, a wonderful role model, but he is in a different moment in his career with Real Madrid"
Two weeks later, Alonso - who is currently recovering from a metatarsal injury - gave reporters a similarly unambiguous response when quizzed about a summer return to Anfield. He told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Reds legend Dietmar Hamann wants Alonso to return, but he's not sure it will ever happen. He tweeted recently:
"I'd love to see Xabi Alonso back at Anfield. He's a pleasure to watch, but I'm not sure whether there is any truth in it. I can't really see it happening"
I'm sure the instinctive reaction of most Reds' fans is 'get him!'. However, would it be a good idea?
* Alonso is not the quickest player, and given the current immobility of Liverpool's midfield, would it be wise to have another one-paced player in the centre of the field?
* Rodgers is not going to drop Gerrard, and Alonso is not a defensive midfielder like Lucas, so where would he play?
* A midfield three of Gerrard/Lucas/Alonso would not work (IMO), and it would almost certainly mean Henderson being dropped, which would rob the team of a much needed source of energy, stamina and strength.
€6m is an eminently affordable price for a bona-fide world class midfielder, but I'd hate to see Alonso return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
Additionally, given the fact Alonso can leave for free next summer, it's probable that FSG would refuse to sanction the deal - they'd probably tell Rodgers to wait until June and get him for nothing.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
According to Spanish newspaper Marca today:
"Alonso...is yet to renew his contract, which comes to an end on 30th June 2014.
"Florentino Pérez has reportedly set his price tag at €6 million"
Alonso - who cost Real Madrid €30m in 2009 - has been regularly linked with a return to Liverpool, and in April the Spaniard who admitted last year that he 'misses' Anfield - hinted that a Liverpool move in the future could be a possibility'. He said:
"I have not decided where to play in the future. My return to Anfield? I had an amazing time during my long experience in Liverpool with the jersey of the Reds."
When asked in July if there is any chance of Alonso returning to Liverpool, Rodgers told reporters:
"Xabi Alonso was an incredible player for this club, a wonderful role model, but he is in a different moment in his career with Real Madrid"
Two weeks later, Alonso - who is currently recovering from a metatarsal injury - gave reporters a similarly unambiguous response when quizzed about a summer return to Anfield. He told reporters:
"The Premier League? No. There's no way, no chance"
Reds legend Dietmar Hamann wants Alonso to return, but he's not sure it will ever happen. He tweeted recently:
"I'd love to see Xabi Alonso back at Anfield. He's a pleasure to watch, but I'm not sure whether there is any truth in it. I can't really see it happening"
I'm sure the instinctive reaction of most Reds' fans is 'get him!'. However, would it be a good idea?
* Alonso is not the quickest player, and given the current immobility of Liverpool's midfield, would it be wise to have another one-paced player in the centre of the field?
* Rodgers is not going to drop Gerrard, and Alonso is not a defensive midfielder like Lucas, so where would he play?
* A midfield three of Gerrard/Lucas/Alonso would not work (IMO), and it would almost certainly mean Henderson being dropped, which would rob the team of a much needed source of energy, stamina and strength.
€6m is an eminently affordable price for a bona-fide world class midfielder, but I'd hate to see Alonso return to Anfield and spend most of his time on the bench (due to squad rotation/preference for younger players etc).
Additionally, given the fact Alonso can leave for free next summer, it's probable that FSG would refuse to sanction the deal - they'd probably tell Rodgers to wait until June and get him for nothing.
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
4-5 mil would work IMO.
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