Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has been assured he can count on Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso for next season.

Real are now intensifying their pursuit of Xabi after Spain's Confederations Cup campaign was ended by the USA on Wednesday night.

AS says before he went home to Santiago, Chile, for a short holiday, Pellegrini was promised a midfield of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lassana Diarra, Xabi Alonso and Kaka by Real president Florentino Perez.