by Toffeehater » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:50 pm
ALVARO ARBELOA is expected to join Real Madrid next week.
The Liverpool defender will make a £4.5million switch to the Bernabeu.
But Kop team-mate - and fellow Spanish international - Xabi Alonso looks to have missed out on the chance of a move to Madrid.
Arbeloa, 26, was signed from Deportivo La Coruna for £2.6m two years ago.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez originally wanted £8.5m for the full-back, who made 43 appearances last season.
Real responded with a bid of £2.5m but now the clubs appear to have reached a compromise figure of £4.5m.
Arbeloa's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "Discussions with Real are not over and I expect a solution early next week."
And Real sporting director Jorge Valdano added: "Arbeloa is a basic part of our plans."
Real have been looking to strengthen their defence and midfield after splashing out nearly £180m on forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
But it looks as if their £24m move for midfield linchpin Alonso has ]hit a brick wall. A Madrid source said: "It's at a standstill."
Benitez has been desperately fending off Madrid's overtures for Alonso and a Barcelona raid for fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano.
But while Alonso and Mascherano both want to play in Spain, one Madrid player fancies trying his luck at Liverpool - and he's a bit of an animal!
Hitman Alvaro Negredo, nicknamed the Wild Animal, seems to be on his way out of the Bernabeu after Madrid's striker spending spree.
Negredo, 23, came through the ranks at Madrid but was farmed out to Almeria for two seasons, where he scored 32 goals in 70 games.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants to sign the 6ft 1in hitman but he is not keen on a switch to White Hart Lane.
Now Negredo is hoping Benitez will meet Madrid's £13m asking price - and team him with Spanish scoring sensation Fernando Torres in the Anfield front line.
