TRANSFER NEWS: LIVERPOOL HAVE stressed their determination to keep Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano at Anfield. Alonso has been linked with Real Madrid, who have not hidden their admiration for the Spain midfielder, and Argentinian Mascherano is reported to be a target of Barcelona.
Madrid’s young strikers Alvaro Negredo and Alberto Bueno have been suggested as makeweights in any possible deal for Alonso.
However, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez considers his midfield pair to be integral to the club’s plans for next season, recently stating that Barcelona “could not afford” Mascherano and that Alonso was “not for sale”.
The club yesterday backed Benitez by indicating any approaches for the pair will be firmly rejected.
In a statement on their official website, Liverpool said: “Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players.
“Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish-based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal.”
Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena is flattered by Juventus’s interest in him but insists he is happy at Anfield. The defender is currently on international duty with Italy ahead of their Confederations Cup opener against the USA in South Africa and is keeping an eye on transfer activity in Europe.
Dossena, who joined Liverpool last summer from Udinese, has caught the attention of Juve and the Serie A outfit have been linked with tabling a bid for the 27-year-old. Dossena maintains he is content with life on Merseyside but the defender is happy to be attracting interest in his native land.
“I will always have a special eye out for Italy and it’s always pleasing to be wanted by a club like Juventus,” he said. “Liverpool are a great club and I am happy to be playing here. I am having a good experience in England.
“But if there was to be a deal between my agent, Juve and Liverpool, then I would certainly consider the proposal.”
Meanwhile, AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini could be poised to join the backroom staff at Chelsea, according to BBC Sport. A deal would mean the veteran Italian, who spent his 25-year career at the San Siro, teaming up again with coach Carlo Ancelotti, who left Milan for Chelsea. The 40-year-old left-back, who only quit playing at the end of the 2008-09 season, won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League trophies. Talks are understood to be ongoing, although a role has not been specified.
Maldini, who made more than 900 appearances for Milan and a record 126 for Italy, speaks good English and is thought to be unhappy with the lack of opportunities at the San Siro since his retirement.
Ancelotti has agreed to work with current Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins, who speaks Italian, but he is also thought to want to bring in a fellow countryman. And with Chelsea still looking to replace defensive coach specialist Steve Clarke, who joined Gianfranco Zola at West Ham earlier this year, Maldini could fit the bill.
Elsewhere, Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hinted he would be open to an offer from Barcelona.
"It's very obvious that it (an offer from Barca) would be special but I am also clear about the fact that Arsenal made me captain in the middle of last season," Fabregas said in an interview published in Spain's Sportnewspaper.
“That gives me extra responsibility and ties me closer to the club and I would be excited to win a trophy as captain of the Gunners,” he said. But he added that if Guardiola called him “it would be different”.
