Premier League Duo To Fight Juventus For Midfielder Who Created 48 Chances In La Liga Last Season

Despite the transfer window slamming shut just three weeks ago, rumours are still dominating the back of our daily papers. Early results are generating waves in the rumour mill and it seems as though Chelsea and Liverpool are the most recent clubs getting ready to go to war. The Express are reporting that the Premier League duo are preparing to fight it out with Juventus to capture the services of Xabi Alonso, whose contract at Real Madrid runs out in the summer.

The trio, if the reports have any weight to them, would be on the tail of one of the most established deep-lying playmaker in European football and would be picking up a brilliant player.

The former Liverpool midfielder has missed out on Los Blancos' season this time round because of a metatarsal injury, but last season was integral to Jose Mourinho's squad. Alonso won 68% of his personal duels, including 70/89 tackles and 62% of his headers, whilst his pass accuracy of 83% wasn't too shoddy either.

Perhaps the most impressive statistic, though, is that the Spaniard accumulated 48 key passes for Madrid, the fourth most in the entire squad - more than the likes of Angel Di Maria, Karim Benzema and Kaka.

Will we be seeing the man with the golden beard  in the Premier League come the new year?