Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is interested in Liverpool midfielder and Spanish interenational Xabi Alonso (26).Alonso would be the first choice to replace Barcelona defensive midfielder and Ivory Coast Yaya Touré (25) if the Ivorian would decide to leave this winter.
Guardiola likes Alonso and the Basque player would want to join Barcelona, the club his father played for in the 1980s. Barcelona has been following Alonso for a while and in the past there have already been concrete contacts without a transfer being possible back then (read more here).
Barcelona doesn't plan to let Touré go but the player will have the last word. If Touré, whose contract expires in 2011 would ask to leave, the club doesn't want to keep him against his will.
Touré would be losing serious amounts of money because both his Barcelona salary and his Nike contract depend highly on incentives based on the games he plays. Juventus and Arsenal would already have offered Touré a contract (read more here).
Asked about the latest transfer rumours, Touré told British sports site Sky Sports that he is flattered by it, but that he is prepared to wait for his opportunity with Barcelona before contemplating an exit: "It is good to know there are big clubs interested in me. It is known that I have not played a lot for Barcelona so far this season. The coach rotates the midfield, and I am waiting for my chance.
There are still plenty of games to play. The club is doing well, so we shall wait and see. I don't know about moving to another club. You never know. I will take my chance at Barca when handed it. I love Barcelona. It is the biggest club, but there are others as well."
Read more:
Xabi Alonso other candidate to replace Deco
Barcelona wants to clarify Toure situation
Touré considers transfer if he doesn't play more
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