By the time the current deal Xabi Alonso has with Real Madrid expires, he’ll be 33, probably a bit (or more) off his prime. It still doesn’t mean he won’t be a coveted player by almost every top club and able-paying team in the world, although a return to the English Premier League, specifically Liverpool, seems like something that theoretically seems like the most plausible scenario.
Alonso has been with Real Madrid since 2009, following a £30 million transfer from Liverpool, where he still remains a fan favorite, and it seems from time to time Alonso loves to remind everyone how much he still feels for the club he gained worldwide recognition with, playing for the Red between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League trophy in 2005.
While playing for Liverpool, especially in the early years, his form was slightly up & down and he even lost his place in the starting lineup once or twice, his final two years with the clubs were fantastic, including his brilliant form in 2008-2009, helping Liverpool finish only 4 points behind Manchester United in their best EPL finish ever.
With Madrid, he has played 182 times since his arrival, winning the league title last season and hoping that this year, after two consecutive exits in the semifinal stage of the Champions League, it’ll be a little bit different. Alonso has also been one of the most important components in Spain’s dominance in the Euro and World Cup, being a starting player in all three consecutive trophy wins.
While Real Madrid want to extend Alonso’s stay with the team beyond 2014, it’s been reported by several sources in Spain that he has waved down the offers so far, claiming he does not wish to stay with the club beyond the current agreement. He hasn’t said anything about the Premier League, but everyone is thinking it. Liverpool are obviously the first name that comes to mind, but Arsenal are another team that could be very interested in trying to sign him for free when the opportunity presents itself.