"Alonso: Which way to the Bernabeu?"
Xabi Alonso says it is up to Liverpool and Real Madrid to reach a fee after admitting he is tempted by the Spanish club's "impressive project".
The midfielder linked up with his team mates in Vienna before jetting off for their tour of the Far East.
Speculation has been rife that the 28-year-old would join Madrid before Liverpool's trip to play pre-season fixtures against Thailand in Bangkok on Wednesday and Singapore next Sunday, but officials are still working on a deal.
In an interview with the AS newspaper, Alonso said: "It is always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now. But at this point, whether or not that can happen is not up to me.
"It's a matter that involves three parties, including myself. I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk. Madrid's project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I cannot tell you anything else.''
Alonso also said he intends to hold discussions with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
He said: "I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I arrive [in Austria] is to greet him. But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for all that, even though in reality, there is nothing in particular to talk to Rafa about. It's the clubs who have to negotiate to reach an agreement.''
On the reported fee, Alonso said: "I am not the man who can answer these questions. The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out either because I am not a fortune teller.''
Benitez has consistently said in public that he does not want to sell Alonso, but if the position becomes untenable with the Spaniard having to search for a replacement, the fee he wants is over £30m.
Valencia's David Silva is reputed to be a target, while Liverpool are also likely to enter the bidding for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young.
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