Arbeloa seals Real deal but Alonso in limbo
Liverpool are now expecting to see their want-away midfielder back at the club’s training ground today after a three-day break in San Sebastian with his family.
Alonso’s time back home in Spain would have seemed the ideal time to sort out his future once and for all, but the summer’s longest-running transfer saga is now likely to drag on further.
The one hint of a breakthrough has come with the knowledge that Madrid’s coaching and technical staff have impressed upon club president Florentino Perez the importance of adding Alonso to the club’s squad.
Real, it is claimed, are now more willing to get closer to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez’s asking price of around £30million (€35m), as long as there is some compromise.
But Alonso should be back in training on Merseyside today in preparation for a return to Spain at the weekend to play in the friendly against Espanyol in their new stadium.
One Liverpool player has made the switch to the Bernabeu, with full-back Alvaro Arbeloa completing a medical yesterday before signing a five-year deal. Arbeloa was in the final year of his contract, and Liverpool were unwilling to match his wage demands of around £50,000 (€58,000) a week.
The club announced yesterday that £3.5m (€4m) fee had been agreed and it is clear that Liverpool believe the Arbeloa deal is good business.
England defender Glen Johnson, who arrived for £17.5m (€20.4m), is a direct replacement, while Switzerland international Philipp Degen is now fit after serious chest injuries as back-up.
Liverpool also have Jamie Carragher who can fill in on the right of defence, while youngster Stephen Derby has signed a new contract and will also offer cover.
Arbeloa started at Real in the junior ranks, where he was coached by Benitez at one time. A move to Deportivo La Coruna followed, and then a £2.6m (€3m) switch to Liverpool in January 2007.
Arbeloa becomes Madrid’s seventh signing of the summer after Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek is delighted with Arbeloa’s arrival and hopes Xabi Alonso will soon follow.
Dudek is pleased the 26-year-old will be moving to the Primera Liga and he believes the full-back can improve Real.
The former Liverpool shot-stopper said: “He’s an all-round player. He’s making great progress and I think that with his quality he can help this team in defence.
“He’s a very good friend of mine and the fact he’s an international guarantees his worth.’’
Dudek is also optimistic a deal can be agreed that will see Alonso leave Liverpool for Real. “He has a lot of quality and is also a great person off the pitch. I hope that he comes, although it is not easy to negotiate with Rafa Benitez,’’ Dudek added.
Meanwhile Andrea Dossena’s move from Liverpool to Napoli has been delayed over the player’s wage demands.
The club’s have agreed a £4m (€4.6m) deal for the Italian defender, but his £2m (€2.3m) a year Liverpool deal has become a problem. Napoli sporting director Pierpaolo Marino insists there will have to be further talks with the defender.
He said: “Dossena? We have taken a break in order to reflect on this. The move is therefore on hold.
“There are no immediate prospects. The president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) has spoken to (Rafael) Benitez, but there is some distance with the player.”
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