Tap Up Much?

Okay, Madrid, that's enough.

I know it worked with Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, but this tapping up business is truly getting out of hand. In no ethical world can you discuss our clubs players in interviews. You should never, ever pin point a player you are targetting. That is just bad conduct, and terribly unprofessional. It's like saying you fancy your mate's girlfriend!

And that's not the worst part. They are still trying to haggle a bargain. Alonso is clearly one of the best in his position in the world. Save for maybe Xavi or Pirlo. And Real Madrid know that. And if they want him so badly, why don't they meet our price? £35million and Wesley Sneijder would do just fine thanks. But nooo, they are trying to haggle.

It's like saying, there is hardly any other car like a Ferrari in this world, but I want to buy it for a price of a Holden. With no disrespect to Holden, there is a reason why the prices are as they are.

To quote Real Madrid Sporting Director Miguel Pardeza, the chief "tapper-up",

"The problem with Alonso is there are no alternatives, with the way football is evolving, the creative central midfielder is becoming fewer and fewer.

"Alonso is not a fad, there are just not may alternatives - not in the Americas or in Europe are there players who can perform his task."

So talking about our player is bad enough. To praise him, although it's part of the tapping up process, is understandable because he IS an awesome player. So don't, then give me this crap:

"They stalled, from day one - the demands of Liverpool were beyond what Madrid was willing to pay and that is very difficult to understand. "

Very difficult to understand? Oh maybe because in your own words "there are no alternatives... who can perform his task". Does Real Madrid think every club in the world is a feeder club to them? So maybe Liverpool want to hold on to the player who has no alternative! Liverpool have been a more successful team than Madrid in recent history. We've been to more finals, semi-finals and quarter-finals, and even won the Champions League once in the last 5 years. We will not be a feeder club to you!

I really hope Alonso stays, and that he can see that Madrid doesn't value him like the Liverpool fans do. Having said that, we know that all footballers have their price, even Cristiano. So then, if Alonso is as valued to you, Madrid, as he is to us, then give us an offer we can accept. Or just shut the hell up!