Robben to Liverpool for Alonso?

Real Madrid are offering Arjen Robben to Liverpool in a straight swap deal that will see Xabi Alonso make his way to the Bernabeu.

Rafa Benitez is said to be unwilling to sell Alonso and has rejected an £18million bid in recent times.

But Los Blancos will also try to persuade Benitez to a deal of £18m cash plus Gabriel Heinze if the Robben deal is dismissed.

Real Madrid need to raise cash fast after signing Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo for a combined total of £142m.

And Dutch winger Arjen Robben is their most desirable and expendable asset.

Sources from Madrid say that Livepool have slapped a £27m price tag on Alonso. Bernabeu president Florentino Perez hopes to avoid spending another cent to match the massive asking price by offering his wing wizard.

However, Benitez could be afraid of taking on an injury-prone player, who has been in and out of the squad since his £27m move to the Bernabeu two years ago.

And the potential of having Heinze at left-back could be too much of temptation for Benitez.