Chelsea and Liverpool Suffer Setback as Madrid Fans Protest over Spaniard's Sale - Report
Real Madrid fans are expressing their affection for midfielder Xabi Alonso and they want him to extend his stay at the Bernabeu as Premier League clubs strive to acquire his services in the summer, according to the Daily Mirror.
The report says Madrid fans were chanting Alonso's name during their 2-0 away victory against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League in the hope that he will extend his stay at the Bernabeu beyond this season.
Alonso's future with Madrid is up in the air as his contract with the Spanish side runs out at the end of the current campaign. The 32-year-old joined the nine-time European champions from Liverpool in the summer of 2009.
The Spanish midfielder will be eligible to talk to foreign clubs over a possible transfer in the summer from January, should Madrid fail to agree an extension with their star player.
Alonso had a delayed start to his current season due to injury. However, his performances after returning provided a significant boost to Madrid's results. The Spanish capital club's manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to retain the midfielder's services and is hoping for the midfielder to sign a new deal before Christmas.
President Florentino Perez is ready to offer the former Red with a two-year deal that could see the Spanish international earn £10.8m over the period of his new contract.
The Mirror claims that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the Spaniard and wants to bring him to the west Londotn club in the summer. The Portuguese tactician managed Alonso when the duo worked together at Madrid and won the Copa Del Rey in 2010/11 and La Liga in the following season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were also reported to be in the race for Alonso; where he played for five years and helped them win the Champions League in 2004/05. Brendan Rodgers is interested in adding experience to his young squad and sees the former Reds midfielder as a suitable signing.
In the summer, Madrid fans had put pressure on the club president to not sell Mesut Ozil, during the unveiling of Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu. But the German international eventually joined Arsenal on the deadline day.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.