New Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has confirmed interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

"As a fan, I would say that Xabi is a great player. I think he is the best passer of the ball in Europe," he told the Radio Television Espanola programme, '59 Seconds'.

"I would be happy [to have him], but I cannot talk about the player without having spoken first to Rafa Benitez, as he is the one who needs to know that we are interested in his player."