Mourinho Hopes To Beat Liverpool To Madrid Midfielder If Guarin Deal Falls Through

With the January transfer window now open for business clubs will be working hard to try and strengthen their squad for the second half of the season, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, Chelsea are linked with Liverpool target Xabi Alonso.

Chelsea will try and beat Liverpool to the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso if their proposed move for Inter Milan’s Fredy Guarin falls through, according to the Express.

The report claims that Milan have told the Blues they will need to increase their opening bid of £13m to nearer £15m if they want to sign Guarin, with Jose Mourinho believed to be keen on adding to his midfield options this month.

The Colombian international is a powerful box-to-box midfielder who would likely be seen as a long-term replacement for 35-year-old Frank Lampard – who has been ruled out for three weeks through injury.

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio recently confirmed that they have held talks with Chelsea over the 27-year-old:

“Guarin is an Inter player and we are happy to keep him.

“Denying the contacts with Chelsea would be denying the evidence. It is a source of pride to talk with them about one of our players, but everything stops there.

“We are happy Guarin could stay with us a long time. He’s an important player.” Ausilio is quoted as saying by the Express.

While Ausilio insists they want to keep hold of the player, the Express suggest this is nothing more than a negotiating ploy and the Italians will cash in if the west Londoners up their bid as they feel Guarin has had his head turned by the prospect of playing in the Premier League.

However, should the Guarin deal fall through or Chelsea refuse to match Inter’s asking price, then the newspaper claims Mourinho will switch his attention to Alonso after the 32-year-old was made available by Real Madrid.

The Spanish international is out of contract in the summer and there are no signs to suggest he’ll be signing an extension at the Bernabeu and is understood to be keen on moving back to England.

The report states that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on luring Alonso back to Anfield but could face a tough task in persuading him to do so if Mourinho enters to bidding, as the two held a close relationship during their time together at Madrid.

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Who would Chelsea fans like the club to sign; Alonso or Guarin? Would Liverpool fans be gutted to see Alonso join Chelsea? Share your views below.