FERGIE WANT'S ALONSO

Last updated : 03 June 2003 By editor

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Xabi Alonso.

But he expects to lose out to Real Madrid in the hunt for the highly-rated 21-year-old.

But Ferguson believes Real Madrid's willingness to let Alonso stay with the Basque club for a further season and their £10 million advance payment makes them favourites to sign him.

'His contract runs until 2007 but we have been told there is a £20m buy-out clause,' Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.

'But we understand Madrid have offered a down payment of £10m and that they are prepared to let him stay at Sociedad next season.'