Arbeloa claims Madrid move is "nearly completed"
Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa says he is close to sealing a transfer to Real Madrid even though the big-spending Spanish side seem more concerned with trimming their squad after an extravagant close-season spending spree.
Alvaro Arbeloa in action against Real Madrid
"At present I am only focused on Liverpool but it is true that (the deal) is nearly completed," the 26-year-old told sports daily Marca on Tuesday.
"We'll see what happens in the next few days, if we can all make an effort so the the negotiations come to a good end, and we all come out having benefited, which is what everyone wants.
"I insist that everything is going forwards and everyone is in agreement - I am the one who has the most desire to sign for Madrid.
"I don't know what the likelihood is in percentages, it's a question more for the clubs. But, as I understand, it seems everything is going well and there is little left to resolve. It could all be sealed this week.''
Real President Florentino Perez has said, however, that his primary concern was to offload players before adding to a squad that has already been reinforced with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
"The only way for new players to arrive is for others to go," he was quoted as saying in Spanish media on Tuesday. "It isn't only a problem of money. We have 29 players and we need a squad of 25."
Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Rafael van der Vaart and Gabriel Heinze have all been left out of the squad during the Peace Cup friendly tournament and are among the players considered surplus to requirements.
Also potentially on his way out of Anfield is Andrea Dossena, whose agent claims Liverpool have accepted an offer from Napoli for the Italy defender.
It was revealed on Monday that Dossena was keen on a move back to Italy having failed to settle on Merseyside and that Napoli had made a bid of £4.3m plus bonuses.
Roberto La Florio insists this has been accepted by Liverpool, who signed the 27-year-old barely 12 months ago. "Liverpool have accepted (Napoli chairman) Aurelio De Laurentiis' offer,'' he told Radio Kiss Kiss. "It's now just a matter of days.
"The two clubs are in agreement, Liverpool accepted Napoli's offer but I can't say any more. With regards to Andrea there are no problems, it's only a matter of days. As soon as Napoli call us, we will finalise it.''
Dossena only moved to Anfield last season from Udinese but has failed to settle in and is likely to find himself even more surplus to requirements following the arrival of Glen Johnson on Merseyside.
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