One of the weirdest and most surprising rumors to pop up this summer, but it’s still worth mentioning. Xabi Alonso, who has a contract with Real Madrid until 2014 isn’t looking to extend it, instead waiting for the deal to expire and then find a new club, hopefully in the Premier League.

Why England? Well, he had quite a succesful spell with Liverpool from 2004-2009 which included a Champions League title and another appearance in the final two years later. There’s no clear reason as to why Alonso wants to leave Real, joining them from Liverpool in 2009 for £30 million, with certain sources suggesting he doesn’t like the social situation in with the Spanish champions.

Take all this with a pinch of salt, mind you, as the news of Alonso seeking an exit for Real came from a Barcelona based newspaper, which might mean that this has nothing to do with the real world. Alonso himself has always been in touch with everything that goes on in England and specifically with Liverpool, popping up in the stands from time to time to show his support.

A European and World champion with the national side, Alonso has won pretty much every possible title football has to offer in club and national football, and has been regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the world for quite a few years now, playing the deep lying playmaker/ midfield stopper to perfection most of the time, combining very well with whoever played alongside him. He plays a more retreated role with Real than previously for Liverpool, scoring only six goals in his three seasons with los blancos.

Whenever Alonso chooses to end things with Real (maybe next summer if he isn’t planning to renew his contract), the 30 year old will have plenty of suitors, and not just from England. Juventus have been very interested in signing the player for a number of years, an PSG are pretty much guaranteed to try and get involved in such a chase as well.

In England, Liverpool would be the obvious destination to return to if the Premier League is his destination, but Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal might also look to make their interest more than just a faded and distant one if the opportunity presents itself. Manchester United would obviously be interested, but the assumption is that Alonso’s connection with Liverpool will prevent him from signing for Alex Ferguson’s side.