Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is keen for his future to be sorted out one way or the other as the long-running transfer saga regarding a possible move to Real Madrid continues to drag on.

Alonso has been linked with Madrid for most of the summer but the Spanish giants have so far been unwilling to meet Liverpool's asking price for the Euro 2008 winner, which is believed to be in the region of €35million.

Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow met with Madrid executive director Jose Angel Sanchez in Barcelona on Sunday to discuss Alonso, with the Reds in the city for a friendly against Espanyol.

Alonso, who has handed in a formal transfer request, was unaware of the meeting but was quoted as telling Spanish newspaper AS: "It's reassuring to know that Madrid and Liverpool are talking seriously now.

"I decided a long time ago to stay on the margin of everything that was happening. My stance has been clear, as you all know. I'm a professional and I must wait for an agreement to be reached, but I hope it is resolved soon, for better or for worse."

Meanwhile, Purslow confirmed to AS that he had spoken with Sanchez but that no agreement had been reached, saying: "This (meeting) has only served to put our positions on the table. We need to continue talking."