Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Liverpool midfielder and Spanish interenational Xabi Alonso (26).
Alonso would be the first choice to replace Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivory Coast Yaya Touré (25) if the Ivorian would decide to leave this winter.
Guardiola likes Alonso and the Basque player would want to join Barcelona, the club his father played for in the 1980s. Barcelona has been following Alonso for a while and in the past there have already been concrete contacts without a transfer being possible back then (read more here).
Barcelona doesn't plan to let Touré go but the player will have the last word. If Touré, whose contract expires in 2011 would ask to leave, the club doesn't want to keep him against his will.
Touré would be losing serious amounts of money because both his Barcelona salary and his Nike contract depend highly on incentives based on the games he plays. Juventus and Arsenal would already have offered Touré a contract (read more here).
Asked about the latest transfer rumours, Touré told British sports site Sky Sports that he is flattered by it, but that he is prepared to wait for his opportunity with Barcelona before contemplating an exit: "It is good to know there are big clubs interested in me. It is known that I have not played a lot for Barcelona so far this season. The coach rotates the midfield, and I am waiting for my chance.
There are still plenty of games to play. The club is doing well, so we shall wait and see. I don't know about moving to another club. You never know. I will take my chance at Barca when handed it. I love Barcelona. It is the biggest club, but there are others as well."
Read more:
Xabi Alonso other candidate to replace Deco
Barcelona wants to clarify Toure situation
Touré considers transfer if he doesn't play more
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Xabi Alonso main candidate to replace Toure
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7 comments:
I don't think we really need another midfielder. If Touré would leave, would be better to invest in a winger or a centre forward.
Alonso is a very great player but i think that he is not good enough as defence midfielder as Yaya do.
i hope that u can find other player who can place the place Yaya
like Mascarano from Liverpool, Danilson from Arsenal and Essian from Chelsea
Yasin Adam
If were going to snatch a DM from the Liverpool it might as well be Mascherano, the best DM in the world as far as im concerned.
I really dont fancy Xavi Alonso, who i think is better defending than Yaya, but isnt all that good and he highly depends on his team-mates.
If we can secure Mascherano, i wouldn't mind paying more than 40m Euros
It seems to me that Yaya doesn't go anywhere this winter. All recent stories about him leaving are speculations.
As first, Juventus don't need another DM, they already have Poulsen and Sissoko, they need AM.
The most serious buyer could be Arsenal. Wenger wants to reunite Toure bros..
There are a lot of games ahead this season and Yaya will certainly grab the chance.
Talking about Alonso, yesterday it was Valencia interested in him, before them Juventus, again. He's very good player and much more experienced than Yaya, so he could become useful signing if Yaya decides to go.
Maybe it would be better to sign some younger players like Moutinho or Diego.
OK, they're maybe more AM, but it would be senseless to buy 3rd DM while FCB already have Keita and Busquets.
BTW, Alonso is already registered as Liverpool's player in CL.
yeah I dont buy this... the whole idea behind toure leaving is taht we have too many players in his position why would we buy another one especially since we dont really have any true left footed wingers...although iniesta is doing brilliantly.
What's not to buy? With Iniesta at the wing we have Xavi/Keita/Busquets playing the 3 midfield spots and Marquez/Pique covering the DM spot in emergency situations. Even with Iniesta pulled back that's still 1 replacement for 3 slots. We could clearly use another midfielder if Yaya leaves.
Yaya is not leaving because of competition. Apparently he has a clause in his endorsement contract with Nike that depends on his appearances. So he's basically losing money every time he doesn't play. I would want to leave too if that's the case. If Liverpool is really eager to get rid of Xabi Alonso as was reported in the summer, he would not be a bad addition to the rotation, in case Busquets or Keita falter, or just to provide regular rest. As long as we can get him for < 10 mil and we sell Yaya for > 10 mil.
Mascherano is a bit of far fetched, we need depth at the DM spot. I can't imagine us spending 40 mil for a first choice DM to fit into a rotation after we spent 15 mil for Keita.
This is unacceptable. Hernanes is a much better player than Xabi Alonso! If we want replacement Hernanes is the man, not mediocre Alonso!
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