Liverpool to sign David Villa once Xabi Alonso's transfer to Real Madrid is complete
Saturday, August 1, 2009 @ 1:34 PM
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is expected to make a move for Valencia's David Villa once Xabi Alonso's £30 million move to Real Madrid has gone through.
By Telegraph staff
Published: 9:31AM BST 01 Aug 2009
With Alonso guaranteed to leave this summer having submitted a transfer request earlier this week following months of speculation, Benitez and his scouting team have been on the look out for a suitable replacement. According to the Sun, Alonso is expected to complete his deal with Real within the next 24 hours giving Benitez enough disposable cash to pair Villa up with his compatriot Fernando Torres. Liverpool are said to be confident of their chances of snapping up the 26-year-old, who has already turned down offers from Real and Barcelona this summer, but have prepared a back up plan should they encounter any obstacles. If signing Villa evades the club, Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, 24 is also on Benitez's radar.
While he would not come cheap - Roma rate their home-grown star at £30m - there are signs that his club would not stand in the way of a transfer to Liverpool. Roma's financial situation puts them in a position where they are unable to object to big money transfers, which plays into the hands of Benitez. There is currently an ownership row surrounding the club, after the agent Vinicio Fioranelli, representing a Swiss corporation saw his takeover bid collapse.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/5954408/Liverpool-to-move-for-David-Villa-once-Xabi-Alonsos-move-to-Real-Madrid-is-complete.html