Liverpool Boss Benitez Looking At Defour Or Aquilani As Replacement For Alonso

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is said to be considering Standard Liege midfielder and Belgian International Steven Defour as a possible replacement for Xabi Alonso, who is looking more and more likely to seal a transfer move to Real Madrid in the coming days.

While Real Madrid have yet to match Liverpool’s valuation on Alonso, Reds boss Benitez has been looking for a replacement for the Spanish International, who has been at the heart of the Liverpool midfield since his move from Real Sociedad in 2004.

21-year-old Defour is currently under contract with the Belgian side until 2013, but has a clause in his contract that allows him to have transfer talks with ‘top clubs’.

He has already been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsenal, Everton and Aston Villa all previously linked with a move for the midfield playmaker, who has made 16 appearances for his country, but Liverpool are the club that has attracted him most.

“I have an agreement with Standard Liege that I could go to a top club, and Liverpool fit the bill,” said Defour.

Defour’s agent Paul Stefani has confirmed interest from both Liverpool and Spanish giants Real Madrid, saying: “Steven's name has been mentioned not only at Real Madrid, but also at Liverpool - they are looking at him too.

“Normally he would stay for another year, but nobody could say no to clubs like those - and Liege would not stand in his way.”

AS Roma and Italy International Alberto Aquilani has also been touted to replace Alonso, with the 25-year-old Italian international having already shown interest in a move to Anfield, but the £18million price-tag that AS Roma have put on him means that Benitez may well scupper the move in favour of the younger Belgian star.

Aquilani has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger reportedly attempting to sign Aquilani during the January 2009 transfer window.