(Goal) - The Madrid-based papers are convinced that Xabi is moving closer and closer to his Bernabeu switch…Real Madrid’s hopes of signing Xabi Alonso from Liverpool have been significantly boosted following a series of event over the past 24 hours.
Reds manager, Rafa Benitez has handed the midfielder an ultimatum to make a decision about his future within the next 48 hours, while reports have also emerged that the club must pay ₤60 million (€69m) of their debt by the end of the year as part of their refinancing deal.
And with the a further stipulation that ₤40m (€46m) will have to be settled this week, Spanish daily, AS believe that it will force the Merseysiders to re-consider and perhaps even accept Madrid’s offer for Xabi in order to generate enough funds to meet the payment deadline.
As things stand, Los Merengues last offer of €27 million has still received no response from Anfield but the paper has reported that negotiations between the two clubs reconvened yesterday.
And it is has now been speculated that the Spanish giants are willing to improve the bid to a little over €30 million.
Xabi has already returned to San Sebastian in Spain to go on a three-day vacation with his family as Liverpool do not resume training until Thursday. He is expected to sort out his future by then.
