Here we go again: Real want Alonso

The Xabi Alonso transfer saga of 2009 has possibly turned into the most boring transfer saga of all time with reports going round in circles.

The latest news is Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini stating that the La Liga giants are still interested in signing Alonso. We’ve been here before.

Pellegrini told Sky Sports News today, “All we know is that he is a very good player. We don’t know what is happening with him.

“He is now a player with Liverpool, so we will see what will happen in the future.

“He is a very good player. But I cannot speak about players who are not at Real Madrid now.”

So tell us something we don’t know.

Getting a sense of déjà vu? We are. The Alonso transfer saga has dragged round and round with Real publicly expressing their interest in the Spanish international countless times. This Is Anfield has quickly made this timeline of events:

  • 13 May: Alonso’s agent says Alonso is going nowhere this summer
  • 20 May: His agent now says ‘œanything can happen’ with Alonso’s future
  • 21 May: Papers says Alonso is preparing for his final Reds game at home to Spurs on last day of season
  • 22 May: Rafa dismisses speculation linking Alonso with Real Madrid
  • 24 May: Reports says Alonso has handed in a transfer request
  • 31 May: Newspapers say that Alonso is set for £22m move to Real, with Gabriel Heinze coming to Anfield
  • 31 May: Benitez again rubbishes the Alonso transfer speculation
  • 2 June: With Alonso in South Africa with Spain, Real prepare a bid
  • 2 June: Alonso says the 2008/09 season ‘œfelt good’ at Anfield
  • 2 June: New Real president Perez confirms his interest in signing Alonso
  • 3 June: The world record signing of Kaka no longer mean Real can afford Alonso
  • 8 June: Perez says Real are still trying to sign Alonso
  • 9 June: Real turn their attentions to signing Christiano Ronaldo, with Alonso ‘œnot their priority’
  • 14 June: Reds issue a blunt statement denying speculation surround Alonso and Mascherano
  • 16 June: Jorge Valdano tells Spanish press they’ve failed to sign Alonso
  • 19 June: Alonso dodges the issue of his future when questioned
  • 20 June: Alonso has no plans to leave Anfield
  • 23 June: Alonso admits footballers think about the money they’re earning
  • 29 June: Alonso is undecided on where his future lies
  • 7 July: Liverpool reject an offer for Alonso from Real
  • 8 July: Jorge Valdano says Real have been priced out by the Reds in their chase of Alonso
  • 9 July: Real have switched their attentions from Alonso to Roma’s De Rossi
  • 9 July: Rafa says Alonso and Mascherano are going nowhere
  • 12 July: Manuel Pellegrini confirms Real are looking at alternative signings to Alonso
  • 13 July: Alonso has told Rafa Benitez his desires to join Real Madrid, according to reports
  • 14 July: Papers says Alonso’s move to Real Madrid will be finalised shortly
  • 14 July: Real say they have little chance of signing Alonso
  • 18 July: Benitez will let Alonso go to fund move for Valencia’s David Silva
  • 19 July: Alonso resumes training with the Reds after his summer holiday
  • 20 July: Benitez refuses to comment on Alonso transfer rumours

    I don’t know about you, but I’m getting dizzy.