Sociedad confirm Reds Alonso move

[Lance Knight]

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Real Sociedad today confirmed they have received a formal approach from Liverpool for Xabi Alonso and that they are prepared to sell the Spain midfielder.
The Basque club announced they had received a bid - thought to be worth £10.7million - in a statement issued after training today.


'Liverpool representatives have been in San Sebastian where they met Real Sociedad executives,' read the statement.

'In the meeting the English representatives showed their interest in signing the player and at the same time the Spanish club expressed an interest in selling the player.'

Xabi Alonso had been linked with Real Madrid but with the Spanish giants apparently keen on Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira it now appears as though Liverpool, who today also sold Danny Murphy to Charlton for £2.5million, are in pole position.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez and members of his technical staff watched Alonso this weekend in a 2-2 draw between Real Sociedad and Everton.

Benitez will also have fresh memories of the 30-yard shot with which Alonso scored against his former club Valencia towards the end of last season.

Sociedad are thought to need to raise cash following the arrival of Mikel Arteta from Rangers during the summer and the sale of Alonso will help fill the coffers at the Anoeta Stadium.

Alonso, 22, was born in San Sebastian and moving to Liverpool would be better received by Sociedad fans than a move to Real Madrid.

The central midfielder made his debut for Spain in the 4-0 win against Ecuador last year and was a member of Inaki Saez's squad at this summer's European Championships.

[Lance Knight]

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Alonso on way to Anfield

Liverpool are understood to have agreed a deal in principle with Real Sociedad for the transfer of highly-rated Xabi Alonso.

The classy playmaker has been one of Rafa Benitez's chief targets since taking charge at Anfield and the possible exit of Michael Owen for a sizeable fee, plus the sale of Danny Murphy to Charlton Athletic, has facilitated a move for the Spain international.

Although Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the midfielder, who has been included in Spain's squad for their friendly with Venezuela, Sociedad were reluctant to do business with another club from La Liga.

It is believed that the Basque outfit have accepted a bid of €16 million from Liverpool, with a further €2 million to follow depending upon the success of the Merseysiders over the length of his contract.

Benitez watched Alonso in action during a friendly against Everton recently but the player was left out of his side's latest warm-up game against Osasuna.

Spanish reports claim part of the fee will be used from money still owed by Sociedad for keeper Sander Westerveld, who moved to Spain some time ago.

Benitez is understandably keen to wrap up a deal swiftly in order to field his new boy against Tottenham in The Premiership's opening game on Saturday and also avoid any late complications in terms of rival bids emerging, particularly from Madrid.