Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated Xabi Alonso's importance to the club but accepts they may lose him at the end of the season if he refuses to sign a new deal.
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Alonso's value to Real's midfield has been more evident than ever this season with his leadership and ability to build play from deep, but he is in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and has so far stalled on signing a new deal.
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The 32-year-old's financial demands are believed to be the sticking point and from January 1 he will be free to negotiate with other clubs.
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There are several Premier League sides thought to be interested in signing the former Liverpool man, although Real would be reluctant to lose such a key player.
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"I don't need to convince anyone of the importance of him to the team," Ancelotti told a news conference.
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"He has experience, quality and is one of the best midfielders in the world and that is why we are pushing for him to stay.
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"All I can do is count on him until the summer and make the most of him while he is here. He gives more confidence to the team but we have other important players and we have also got good results without him."
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Real go into the final match before the winter break looking to bounce back from a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna last weekend which left them five points off La Liga leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Xabi Alonso should just go to an English to continue his football career. Manchester United won't be a bad idea
Him staying will do Real Madrid a lot of good this season so they will do everything they can to keep him.