Real Madrid sporting director Miguel Pardeza insists Cesc Fabregas is not an alternative in case they cannot persuade Liverpool to part with Xabi Alonso. "He is a great player, there's no doubt about that. But at this moment he is not a target for Real Madrid. The club are working on other alternatives," he said.

Pardeza also confirmed they had come up against brick wall regarding Alonso, but insisted that did not necessarily mean their hopes of bringing the Euro 2008 winner to the Bernabeu were now over.

"Madrid must not discard an option until it's totally gone. Now there is an insurmountable financial barrier, but it's something that could change. We're looking for alternatives, although there aren't many."