£35m???????

Liverpool name asking price for Alonso

Liverpool placed a £35million valuation on Xabi Alonso after the Spain midfield player said his goodbyes to some members of the club's staff, reports The Times.

However, Real Madrid, with whom the player has been linked, have not yet made an official offer.

35 for him is too much for even Real.

He wont go for 35, but I really hope he we be sold asap. There is too much smoke not to be fire, and this combined with Gareth Barry-gate last summer might convince him Liverpool just dont want/deserve him.

Alonso is a class player, who IMO makes their team run as much as anyone. If they sold him, it would be a disaster for Liverpool, in my opinion. Even if Rafa got 25m for him, which I think is realistic, he would just waste that.

Real should pull out all the stops to get him. Alonso would be their Xavi, and would make that offense tick. At 27 he probably still has 5-6 years left at the top of his game. Spanish rag AS (which is the Laurel to Marca's Hardy) claims that Pelligrini went on vacation back home to Chile and was told by the Madrid brass that they would sign him

Also find it hard to believe that they want to sell him. He had such a good season too - probably the best since he's been there. Remember when they sold Garcia? Couldn't believe that either at the time. Agree that nobody, even Real, will pay that sort of money. Anyway, for obvious reasons I hope that he does leave. Benitez is a fool or already suffering from hubris - finally gets 2nd & thinks he can improve on it next season through a major re-arrangement of his midfield. Dream on.

First of all, that's a ridiculous asking price.

Secondly, I am so glad Benitez has antagonized one of his best midfielders.

Thirdly, any replacement will need some time to adjust. If Gerrard is off form or injured, does Tubby depend on the new signing to carry their midfield ?

Finally, IF this deal goes through and there is no replacement, who is he going to play in that position ? Lucas ? Oh, dear God, yes pleaaaase yes.

Also find it hard to believe that they want to sell him. He had such a good season too - probably the best since he's been there. Remember when they sold Garcia? Couldn't believe that either at the time. Agree that nobody, even Real, will pay that sort of money. Anyway, for obvious reasons I hope that he does leave. Benitez is a fool or already suffering from hubris - finally gets 2nd & thinks he can improve on it next season through a major re-arrangement of his midfield. Dream on.

Agree with that, Tubby thinks himself too clever for his own good. He has rocked the boat to win personal battles at the club before, and if Alonso is really unhappy with his role there I wouldnt put it past Benitez to ship him out. It would be a monumentally stupid move, but for someone as conceited as Rafa, I could honestly see it

Bloody hell... Liverpool seem to be imploding and Man Utd are haemorraging their good players.

Battle between us and Man City for the title next year? :P