Last Updated: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:45
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso wants a move to Real Madrid sorted out before July 19th according to reports.
That date is when he is due to meet up with his team-mates ahead of a tour of Asia but whether he is on that tour remains to be seen as the midfielder's future has long been the subject of speculation.
The player himself now wants it sorted and immediately went into talks with his agent on his return from the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Alonso met his representative Inaki Ibanez immediately after flying back to Madrid and then told Spanish newspaper AS: "I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate."
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has made it clear he wants to keep the 27-year-old at the club and in a bid to scare off suitors, Benitez has quoted a price-tag of £50m for Alonso, but sources in Spain say the actual valuation coming out of Merseyside is £35m with Madrid reluctant to go above £25m.
Meanwhile star striker Fernando Torres says it is essential that Liverpool keep hold of all their best players. "I worry about losing my team-mates but if we can keep our best players and bring in some more, we'll be even stronger for next season," he said.