Bayern Munich close to £8m deal for Real Madrid’s Xabi Alonso

• Pep Guardiola turns to Alonso after losing Toni Kroos
• Alonso pushed out by new arrivals at Real
• Alonso retires from international football

Xabi Alonso was on the verge of joining the German champions, Bayern Munich, on a two-deal worth around £8m (€10m) on Wednesday night.

Bayern’s manager, Pep Guardiola, turned his attention to Alonso after the departure of Toni Kroos and the knee-ligament injury suffered by Javi Martínez. Alonso had two years left to run on his deal at Real Madrid and he turns 33 in November. His salary in Germany will be about €1m less than he was earning at Madrid.

Throughout last season Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, insisted repeatedly on Alonso’s importance for the side. He missed the Champions League final through suspension after picking up a booking in the semi-final. In his absence, Madrid rarely functioned with the same fluidity. Yet, at boardroom level, the approach from Bayern Munich was welcomed.

The arrival of Kroos brought competition for Alonso, even if Ancelotti at first appeared likely to play the two together. But as discussions continued, Alonso did not play for Madrid in their opening league game of the season against Cordoba on Monday. Alonso was one of four deep-lying central midfielders along with Kroos, Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira, while the arrival of James Rodríguez increased the number of midfielders further, nudging him closer to a departure.



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Liverpool and Bayern Munich target Dele Alli dances to his own tune at MK Dons

Dele Alli, the MK Dons teenager being chased by Liverpool and Bayern Munich, so loves playing football that as kick-off approaches he often dances in the dressing-room to Drake and DJ Rusky – or Ed Sheeran if the older players complain about his choice of music.

Alli’s footwork on the field has been earning him strong reviews this season, particularly in MK’s League Cup thrashing of Manchester United and also for England Under-19s in their recent draw with Germany. His development was rewarded today with a new contract at MK until 2017. The 18-year-old midfielder is proof that English football can nurture promising footballers, particularly when they are fostered by conscientious managers such as Karl Robinson and given a run of games.

MK’s 4-0 humiliation of United brought even more focus on Alli; most Premier League clubs, and some Bundesliga, had representatives scouting him again that night. “Before games, the gaffer will sit me down, tell me I’m being watched, and make sure I’m not getting carried away.’’ Liverpool’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has been watching him closely. “I’ve heard he has,’’ said Alli. “It’s not something I really worry about.

“Gerrard was a big reason I began supporting Liverpool. I liked Chelsea as well because of Lampard. I wasn’t as much a fan when I was living with my mum. But I moved in with this new family and they were Liverpool fans. It made sense with me to stick with Liverpool. I remember Istanbul, the FA Cup final, and the game against Olympiakos: Gerrard just scoring amazing goals.

"I love watching Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and Xavi with the way they move.” Alli continues to work, continues to be unfazed when the first whistle blows.





Telegraph

FACT: Xabi Alonso sets a new Bundesliga record, touching the ball 206 times for Bayern v Cologne



In just his fifth match in the Bundesliga, Spanish star Xabi Alonso has already set a new German record.

Bayern Munich beat FC Cologne 2-0 on the road on Sunday courtesy of a Mario Gozte opener and a second half og from Daniel Halfar.

Away from the scoreline, Alonso produced an incredible display in the middle of the park setting a new record for the most amount of touches in the Bundesliga match.

Alonso had 206 touches of the ball, with 196 successful passes.

The previous record was held by Thiago Alcantara, who had 185 touches of the ball and 159 successful passes.

In other stat news, Bayern had 78% possession against Cologne, while the Bavarians completed an absurd 807 passes in the game.





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