Liverpool will decide Xabi Alonso's future at the end of the season, according to the midfielder's agent. The Spain international has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with a number of clubs thought to be lining up summer moves for the player.
Real Madrid are believed to be leading the chase for Alonso with the 27-year-old thought to be one of presidental candidate Florentino Perez's top transfer targets if he gains control at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Alonso's agent Ignacio Ibanez has refused to confirm the midfielder will remain at Anfield next season, admitting Liverpool will have the final say on any possible transfer.
"Many things could happen in the summer," Ibanez told the Daily Star. "The first is to finish the season and after that to attend to other matters.
"Xabi has signed for three more years and his future depends on Liverpool."
Real have already begun their recruitment ahead of next season if the agent of Wigan winger Antonio Valencia is to be believed.
Manager Steve Bruce has conceded the 23-year-old, who has been attracting interest from bigger clubs for over year now, will leave the JJB Stadium this summer.
However, as he did when Tottenham came in for midfielder Wilson Palacios in January, the Latics boss is determined to hold out for the best price.
On that occasion he received €16 million for the Honduran and the sale of Valencia is likely to bring in even more than that with Manchester United also reported to be interested in the Ecuador international.
"I believe Wigan will sell Antonio for the right offer and they will decide that once they receive that," Valencia's agent Diego Herrera told skysports.com. "Real Madrid made an offer last week, but nobody from Wigan has told me of an offer from Manchester United.
"There are a number of interested clubs and I will speak with Wigan about it this week.
"Once the season is over I expect offers to be made and I will sit down with Antonio and decide what offer is in his best interests."
Valencia is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and it seems unlikely he will be fit for the final match of the season at home to Portsmouth on Sunday.
But once the campaign is over Bruce will want to bring in as much as he can for the Ecuador international as soon as possible in order for him to begin adding to his squad.
A striker is a priority and the Wigan boss has been linked with Christian Benitez, Valencia's Ecuador team-mate, although the €8 million asking price from Mexican club Santos Laguna may prove prohibitive.
