Price tag putting Madrid off Liverpool star Alonso
Madrid have been closely linked with a move for the Spain midfielder as part of their summer rebuilding under new president Florentino Perez, which has already seen the Primera Division outfit splash out almost £200 million (€231m) on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol.
However, while Valdano admits Alonso remains one of their targets, the Madrid director general wants the price to be right.
“Xabi Alonso is a priority if he fits into our budget, and this doesn’t seem the case. We are very far from the figures that Liverpool have set out,” Valdano said.
“Liverpool have taken up a difficult stance over Xabi Alonso. I don’t like to talk about the private details of negotiations.
“We are studying many alternatives. We want someone who can channel the play and there aren’t many like that in the world.”
With plenty of time before the transfer window closes and with a number of big-name signings already wrapped up, Valdano insists the Spanish giants have no great urgency to complete their summer shopping spree.
“After the great players who have arrived, we aren’t in a hurry,” he said.
“(We want) two signings, maximum three. That’s the number with which the team will be able to cover all eventualities. With the arrival of (Karim) Benzema, we are not going to sign (Valencia striker David) Villa. We are happy to have got the Frenchman. He is 21, powerful, and is enthusiastic and eager.”
For his part, Ronaldo believes he was fated to join Real Madrid and is determined to continue winning domestic and European titles with the Spanish giants.
“I’ve always spoken of the respect I have for this club,” he said.
“I think I had to end up here after everything that’s happened. The president has worked very hard to get me here and I am very grateful to him.’’
He added: “My intention is to do the same things I did at Manchester United and to maintain or increase my ambitions.
“I have enough faith in myself, in the team, in the president and in the coach [Manuel Pellegrini]. I think we can achieve great things.
“I will be part of the team and I will give my best to win the Champions League.
“We have a great team and a great coach. We are going to take it step by step, taking it calmly, and then we can think about winning the Champions League.
“We have a decent chance but we need to take it slow and work hard.”
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