Real Madrid priced out of Xabi Alonso transfer
Published 00:00 08/07/09 By By David Maddock
Real Madrid are ready to admit defeat in their quest to sign Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniards claim they have been priced out of the running for the midfielder by what they privately describe as an "extortionate" fee.
Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has played hard-ball with Madrid, calling their bluff by slapping a £35million price tag on the Spain star and telling them to "take it or leave it".
Jorge Valdano, Sporting Director at the Bernabeu, is a huge admirer of Alonso and made the player one of his priorities after returning to the club in June. But even though Real have splashed out massive sums on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema, they see Liverpool's demands as a deal too far.
Valdano said: "Alonso is a high priority if it fits our budget but that doesn't seem the case. We are very far from the numbers Liverpool have raised. Now we are studying many alternatives."
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