Liverpool in talks over Aquilani acquisition
442 Staff - Wednesday 29 July 2009, 19:01
Liverpool are believed to have opened negotiations with Roma over the signing of midfielder Alberto Aquilani, as speculation intensifies that Xabi Alonso will soon seal his much-mooted move to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old - who has been linked with Arsenal in the past - has made more than 100 league appearances for the Stadio Olimpico outfit since making his debut in 2002, scoring nine times.
And with both Liverpool central midfielders, Alonso and Javier Mascherano, being strongly linked with Real and Barcelona respectively, Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is believed to be eyeing up the Italian, who has 11 caps for the Azzurri, as a replacement.
Despite Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting earlier this month that Benitez was weighing up an €18 million bid for the middle-man, Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia insisted the player was going no where.
However, according to The Guardian, the Reds are now in talks with the Giallorossi, with Alonso being tipped to soon follow fellow countryman Alvaro Arbeloa to the Bernabeu for around £30 million.
NEWS: Roma open to Aquilani offers
NEWS: Agent refutes Aquilani reports
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