Arsenal Failed With Late Bid For Alonso

The Independent has reported that Arsenal tried to sign Xabi Alonso just before the transfer deadline, submitting an improved offer believed to be around £14million.

Yesterday Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had reiterated that Spanish international midfielder Alonso was not for sale, although it is thought was always prepared to deal if a would-be buying club met his valuation of the player.

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger had admitted the Gunners needed an experienced midfielder, and had hinted that a deadline day deal or two might well materialise. In the event, none did, though Wenger has also stressed that he believes his existing squad is strong enough to challenge for major honours.

Wenger brought in Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey, Amaury Bischoff and Mikael Silvestre during the summer, while Gilberto Silva, Alexander Hleb, Jens Lehmann, Mathieu Flamini and Justin Hoyte left the club and Kerrea Gilbert, Nacer Barazite, Armand Traore and Philippe Senderos were sent out on loan.

Wenger yesterday rejected Cardiff City's attempt to take Aaron Ramsey back on loan.

Nevertheless, he is thought to have wanted to partner Alonso with fellow Sp[ain international Cesc Fabregas in central midfield. According to The Independent, Wenger saw Alonso, 26, as a player who could add experience and steel to his team.

The Frenchman had a bid of £12million rejected last month as he tried to capitalise on Liverpool's efforts to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Benitez was busy on deadline day as both buyer and seller. He completed the £8million signing of Espanyol winger Albert Riera on a four-year contract, and also brought in two 18-year-olds: Brazilian striker Vito Flora on a free transfer from Botafogo and Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi from MTK Hungaria.

Benitez sold Steve Finnan to Espanyol for £1million, and sent Ukrainian striker Andrei Voronin back to the Bundesliga on a season-long loan with Hertha Berlin. But he failed to offload winger Jermaine Pennant, who wanted a move to Blackburn Rovers and therefore rejected a £4million move to Stoke City.

Mark Hinton, Goal.com