Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano admits that his club have given up in their pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The big-spending Bernabéu club had eyed Alonso as a major target after the double capture of Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Amid the growing rumours, Liverpool felt compelled to issue an official statement on Sunday, reiterating that the 27-year-old is not for sale.
"Liverpool made an announcement on Sunday and it seems to me they don't want to sell him, so it will be hard for him to end up playing here," Valdano told Radio Marca and Onda Cero.
"I've always liked him, since my first time at Real Madrid. I did a massive effort to bring him here a few years back, we met with Real Sociedad but when I left the deal slipped into the background.
"Liverpool valued him at €18 million last year because he wasn't an essential player. But he is now. They've given him more chances to play and he has responded magnificently."
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The big-spending Bernabéu club had eyed Alonso as a major target after the double capture of Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Liverpool made an announcement on Sunday and it seems to me they don't want to sell him, so it will be hard for him to end up playing here," Valdano told Radio Marca and Onda Cero.
"I've always liked him, since my first time at Real Madrid. I did a massive effort to bring him here a few years back, we met with Real Sociedad but when I left the deal slipped into the background.
"Liverpool valued him at €18 million last year because he wasn't an essential player. But he is now. They've given him more chances to play and he has responded magnificently."
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