Alonso could keep Reds waiting
Liverpool may have to wait until European champion Xabi Alonso returns from holiday before they can sort out the Spanish midfielder’s future.
Alonso has been given a three-week break following Spain’s successful Euro 2008 campaign, with his proposed £16m move to Juventus seemingly on hold.
But Alonso admits to having “no idea” where he will be playing next season.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez needs funds from player sales to maintain his interest in Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry and what is believed to be a player-plus cash offer for Tottenham’s Irish forward Robbie Keane.
Alonso told Spanish football expert Guillem Balague’s website, www.guillembalague.com: “I have no idea [what the future holds]. Right now I am just thinking about going on holiday, sitting back and relaxing.
“We all need time to sit back and think about what we (Spain) achieved and to take it all in.
“I will be able to think about all that has gone on and what is going to happen regarding my future later on. We will see what happens when I get back.”
Alonso’s performances have made him a European champion for club and country since joining Liverpool, and many fans do not want to see him sold.
Some are dismayed that the current American ownership seem unable to fund Benitez’s transfer dealing without selling high-profile players.
Talks between Juventus and Liverpool over Alonso are believed to have stalled over the fee demanded by Benitez.
Benitez is involved in a delicate financial balancing act, and wants to offload Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Scott Carson.
John Arne Riise has moved to Roma for £4m, and Harry Kewell has been released, with reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje on his way to Galatasaray for £2m.
Yossi Benayoun and Steve Finnan could also depart.
Benitez is believed to have offered Crouch plus £5m to Tottenham for Keane, a lifelong Liverpool fan.
Portsmouth also want Crouch, a situation confirmed by Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie yesterday.
But Benitez clearly want to use the England striker as a makeweight in a deal for Keane.
Benitez’s activity in the transfer market continues as American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett maintain their search for funding for the new LFC stadium – as the club now wish the project to be named – planned for Stanley Park.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) are holding off on the delivery of a £9mgrant for the project until the club show they have the money for the £350m scheme.
Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, has held talks with Kop Holdings, the Americans’ company, over funding for the new stadium.
Last week the club started preliminary work in Stanley Park, with both Gillett and Hicks being quoted on Liverpool’s website together for the first time in months.
The work is being financed by the £60m set aside from the January re-financing package which is likely to run out by the end of the year.
The £9m from the NWDA will fund regeneration work around the stadium and is a drop in the ocean considering the overall costs of the scheme.
