FERGIE WANT'S 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.'