Could Alonso make an emotional return to Anfield…?
Liverpool could dramatically swoop for Real Madrid’s 31-year-old Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso when the January transfer window opens, according to Portuguese source Record.
Alonso enjoyed a brilliant five year stint at Anfield, arriving at the club in 2004 from Real Sociedad, before eventually leaving in 2009 to join the La Liga giants for £30m.
Since he left the club, Liverpool have fallen from a club of genuine European pedigree, into a Premier League also-ran. Under Brendan Rodgers this season though, Liverpool top the league – and signs are looking promising that they could qualify for the Champions League for the first time since Alonso left.
The Spaniard has been an unadulterated success at Real Madrid, but has not played yet this season due to injury. Young Spanish midfielders Isco and Asier Illarramendi were brought in for huge money this summer, and new boss Carlo Ancelotti has developed a fondness for the mercurial Luka Modric in the playmakers position. With Sami Khedira also competing for a spot, and with Alonso’s contract running out at the end of the season, Liverpool have a genuine chance of securing a romantic return for Alonso.
The brilliant passer would fit perfectly into Rodgers’ slick brand of football, and the midfielder could be keen on a return to the club he left on very good terms.
The source claims he could only cost Liverpool £4m, which is well within their price-bracket. Unfortunately, this could also encourage a whole host of European clubs to try and sign the World Cup winner – most notably Napoli, whose manager Rafa Benitez originally brought Alonso to England nearly ten years ago.
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