Real Madrid are using Javier Saviola as bait to convince Liverpool to part with Xabi Alonso.

The Sun says free-spending Bernabeu supremo Florentino Perez is desperate to add the 27-year-old Liverpool midfielder to his all-star cast - despite Kop protests that the Spanish star is not for sale.

But with money no object - and Kop boss Rafa Benitez working on a restricted budget - Real hope throwing 27-year-old Saviola into the mix will tempt them to do a deal.

Benitez was linked with the Argentine striker in January and has admitted he will have to look at cut-price transfers in the wake of Liverpool's current financial plight.

Saviola is rated at around £5million but Real are keen to get him off their books.