Liverpool consider offer from Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso

Liverpool are weighing up a cash-plus-player offer from Real Madrid for Xabi Alonso.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez had consistently said Alonso was not for sale - and repeated that yesterday after claims a deal had already been done.

Madrid are prepared to tempt Liverpool by throwing in Alvaro Negredo, a striker Benitez had been tracking for months.

Negredo scored 19 goals in 34 games this season for Almeria and has 32 in his two terms in the Spanish top flight.

Madrid insisted on a buy-back clause for Negredo when they sold him two years ago.

The 23-year-old is valued at close to £10million, but Real can re-sign him for £4.2m.

If Madrid value Alonso at about £20m and add Negredo, they could well have a deal.

It would effectively mean Liverpool would receive about £25m for Alonso, and at that price Benitez would to listen to offers. Last month Negredo said: "To play next to Fernando Torres at Anfield is a dream."

But Benitez insisted: "The situation is clear - we don't want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi. There's no agreement with Real."

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