Liverpool close in on Xabi Alonso signing

[Suss]

From BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3569648.stm

And from Sky:
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=219976&cpid=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=Alonso+set+for+Reds

His agent has confirmed that he has been in talks with Liverpool, and that there are only small details that need to be worked out.

[imasyko]

From BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3569648.stm

And from Sky:
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=219976&cpid=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=Alonso+set+for+Reds

His agent has confirmed that he has been in talks with Liverpool, and that there are only small details that need to be worked out.

Well, we know all about those 'small details', after the Owen fiasco, eh? Xabi probably wants 100,000/wk and 'Pool are offering 30 or so...when they have the video on Sky of him putting pen to paper, I'll believe it.

[Suss]

Well, we know all about those 'small details', after the Owen fiasco, eh? Xabi probably wants 100,000/wk and 'Pool are offering 30 or so...when they have the video on Sky of him putting pen to paper, I'll believe it.

The reports say that Liverpool have agreed to a deal with Xabi already. Its a deal between the two clubs that hasn't been completed yet.

[mbrossetti]

"all that needs to be resolved is the method of payment between both clubs"

Sky article says the deal between the two clubs are done, Sociadad confirms the move. Only discrepancy is the payment method.

Figure that means lump sum vs. installments or amount X today and amount y after he plays z games - or something to that effect. Article says we'll have to wait for Thursday for the tv bit. Read somewhere that Real only offered GBP6 mil.

[imasyko]

Point was...these 'little details' as reported sometimes are mountains and not the molehills as portrayed in the press.

[mbrossetti]

i understand, but when basically all parties are talking about the deal as if it was past tense, then sometimes molehills are actually molehills. If come Thursday all of a sudden something has happened, then maybe there's a mountain. But when I looked over the weekend, people were starting to talk about Real coming in and "stealing" Alonso away and then today reports saying the deal is done, I think to myself, I think I'll take this optimistically and perhaps he has already agreed a deal and it is almost all but over. Sometimes it doesn't pay to get worked up over things on a week to week basis.

[imasyko]

Sometimes it doesn't pay to get worked up over things on a week to week basis.

Guess I'm a little gun-shy after the Owen business. After Saturday's game, when few seemed impressed with Hamann, and since Rafa seems unimpressed with Biscan, sounds like Xabi will be moved right into the other CMid slot. Josemi did well, in what little of the game I saw, so I am optimistic that Xabi will be a positive signing as well.

Now, who do we get for RM? ;^)

[mbrossetti]

Now, who do we get for RM? ;^)

Nunez? or Luis Garcia, who says he's flattered by Benitez, but has yet to get an official offer.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=220081&CPID=23&CLID=&lid=2&title=Barca+star+likes+Benitez+backing

[lfcfan858]

Now, who do we get for RM? ;^)

Based on this report from liverpoolfc.tv it appears that Rafa has had his eye on Antonio Nunez for awhile.

http://liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N145678040814-0756.htm

With Xabi's transfer on the verge, my best guess is that Rafa has been eyeing Nunez for the wide right. I don't know much about Nunez, but if he is indeed a right-sided winger by trade he could be a very useful improvement to the squad. It would be nice to have our first choice MR be a player who is most comfortable in that role.

[mbrossetti]

If I remember, that was also an item on the soccernet site over the weekend. And if I remember from what others around here said - basically during the Owen will he or won't he saga - that Juanfran was the rightside replacement for Figo and that Nunez was out left, but could slot right. Don't know what or where they'll be used, but I figure one of the potential three (Luis Garcia) will be playing out right.

[Suss]

I don't think Nunez was brought in start. As it is, we have zero players capable of playing right midfield. In an ideal world we would have 2. Nunez could serve as cover for whoever Rafa is targeting to play on the right. Perhaps Luis Garcia, or perhaps someone that comes out of the blue.

[mbrossetti]

I always thought Nunez was cover out right, but would start if there was no one else. Not sure where he's going to slot Alonso if on Thursday the deal is announced as final..

[lfcfan858]

I always thought Nunez was cover out right, but would start if there was no one else. Not sure where he's going to slot Alonso if on Thursday the deal is announced as final..

I think Alonso is the natural replacement for Hamman in the holding position. Hamman has been very useful, but he's also not getting any younger. Biscan has definitely shown some major improvements since he moved to central midfield, but Xabi appears to be the more promising player to partner Gerrard as he is highly rated at such a young age. Imagine what he'll be with the proper guidance when he approaches his peak.

[liverbird]

Tomorrow's Guardian says deals done and he'll play on Saturday:

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1284662,00.html

[NC RED]

I always thought Nunez was cover out right, but would start if there was no one else. Not sure where he's going to slot Alonso if on Thursday the deal is announced as final..

A great article on Xabi AND from a manure's point of view stating why the heck didnt they buy him.

http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/2004/08/why-no-alonso-bid.html

[Suss]

A great article on Xabi AND from a manure's point of view stating why the heck didnt they buy him.

http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/2004/08/why-no-alonso-bid.html

Its nice to see Scum fans jealous of one of our signings. Hopefully Xabi turns out to be as great as he potentially could be.

[TruReds]

If I remember, that was also an item on the soccernet site over the weekend. And if I remember from what others around here said - basically during the Owen will he or won't he saga - that Juanfran was the rightside replacement for Figo and that Nunez was out left, but could slot right. Don't know what or where they'll be used, but I figure one of the potential three (Luis Garcia) will be playing out right.

yes, if i remember correctly, LFC has a choice of either Juanfran or Nunez as makeweight for 'Traitor', the former supposed to be a much-hyped boy wonder earmarked to succeed Figo. but why LFC chose Nunez really beats me... :confused:

[mbrossetti]

yes, if i remember correctly, LFC has a choice of either Juanfran or Nunez as makeweight for 'Traitor', the former supposed to be a much-hyped boy wonder earmarked to succeed Figo. but why LFC chose Nunez really beats me... :confused:

I don't think Juanfran was ever officially offered. Rumor was he was part of the deal. But I doubted they ever wanted to let Figo's replacement go, Nunez was an expendable cog.

Read the Guardian piece last night, pretty much the same info as other sources, just now saying Rafa wanted the physicl taken before Spain's mid-week and the what will happen to Didi paragraph. Reasonable part to the article, since he has 11 months left and unless I haven't seen it, there's been no talk of a new contract so I'm guessing that if Alonso is his replacement, Didi will quickly be sold (?) The transfer period ends on August 31 right, so unless they 're going to let him leave when he's out of contract.

[imasyko]

Nunez signed - mentioned as a RW.
http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1147945,00.html

I liked the link above to the ManU site - rates Xabi very highly.

[mbrossetti]

and this one eliminates any possible mountains. Sky also confirm through Sociadad that the deal between teams is done.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=220313&CPID=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=Sociedad+confirm+Xabi+deal

He'll be in on Thursday, both articles ask if they get debuts this Saturday.