[lfc-news] Nunez was always on way to Reds - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 17 Aug 2004
Nunez was always on way to Reds
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

ANTONIO NUNEZ would have become a Liverpool player even if Michael Owen
hadn't moved to Real Madrid.

That was the claim from the 25-year-old winger today, as the Reds tied up
the loose ends of a £10.7m swoop for Xabi Alonso.

Nunez will arrive at Anfield later this week as part of the deal which took
Owen to Spain.

But he said: "Even if Owen hadn't signed for Madrid, I already had an offer
from Liverpool and I knew that the manager was keen to sign me, which is
something to be proud of."

He added: "Last season, I found out how hard it would be to play at Real
and I know Liverpool will be the same, but I hope to get some more minutes
on the pitch.

"It is never going to be satisfactory leaving the best team in the world,
but playing for Liverpool is a dream come true for any player.

"The deal is almost done, it is only a question of tying up a few details
which should be no problem, although Real will retain an option to buy me
back in the future.

"I've always made a point of following the English league games because it
is the sort of football that I like to play. I hope to adjust to it as
quickly as possible."

Alonso, meanwhile, is on international duty this week and is expected to
fly to England on Thursday.

His agent, Inaki Ibanez, confirmed a deal had effectively been done.

"The crossing of Xabi Alonso to Liverpool practically is done," he said..
"There are only small details between clubs to be done."

The Reds have also been linked with £6m rated Barcelona winger Luis Garcia, but

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain said: "No representatives from
Liverpool have contacted the player and he's not come and talked money with us.

"However, we want our players here to be happy and to want to play for
Barca. If any of them don't feel right here, then we'll try and sort it out."


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