Rafa looks for his Silva lining

LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez is closing in on Valencia’s David Silva with the increasing likelihood that Real Madrid will land £30million-rated Anfield star Xabi Alonso.

Rafa wanting a Silva lining Rafa wanting a Silva lining

Alonso fell out with Benitez last summer after efforts were made to offload him to Juventus to raise the money for a move for England midfielder Gareth Barry. Now he is anxious to join Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and company at the Bernabeu.

And Alonso has ignored Benitez’s call for him to stay and show some loyalty after the events of a year ago.

Liverpool have also been holding out for around £30m for the player they signed from Real Sociedad for £10m five years ago.

Now it seems Real Madrid are close to offering that figure for 27-year-old Alonso.

Importantly for Liverpool, a clause which entitles Real Sociedad to 20 per cent of any sell-on fee has now expired.

Benitez will quickly try to bring long-term target Silva, 23, to Anfield even though he may have to smash the club’s transfer record of £20m for Fernando Torres to do it.

Valencia have serious debt problems but they have still been playing hard-ball over their two prized assets, Silva and his Spanish international team-mate striker David Villa, 27, who is wanted by Barcelona and Chelsea.

They want £40m for Villa and £25m for Silva. With £30m from Alonso’s expected sale, Benitez will have the funds to try to push the deal through for midfielder Silva.

Benitez, though, is determined to resist Barcelona’s overtures for his Argentinian defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano, 25.

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