Liverpool will permit Xabi Alonso to leave if the midfield player publicly expresses his desire to join Real Madrid.

Alonso has told Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, he wants to go but stopped short of asking for a transfer while Florentino Pérez, the Real president, has spoken to Benítez but not made an offer. Alonso is unlikely to be part of the squad that travels to Malaysia on Saturday for a pre-season tour.

The proposed transfer would be worth about £32million, with Liverpool likely to use the money to sign an attacking replacement.

Decent bets

Tottenham Hotspur have held talks with Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton after tabling a combined offer of about £8million for the Sheffield United defenders. Tottenham offered £5million for Naughton, the right back, who would prefer to move to Everton.

Steven Pienaar is unhappy that Everton have not offered him an improved contract, to match those given to three team-mates recently. The South Africa midfield player, who has two years left on his deal, has attracted interest from Villarreal, Galatasaray and Tottenham. “If Everton view me as part of their long-term plans they should make me an offer soon,” he said. “Could I end up elsewhere? You never know.”

Sunderland have offered about £5million for James Collins, the West Ham United defender who is attracting interest from Celtic. Sunderland also have the option to sign Calum Davenport, a West Ham team-mate, after a loan spell last season and have inquired after Michael Dawson, the Tottenham defender. Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Julien Faubert, the West Ham midfield player.

Blackburn Rovers have inquired about Kenwyne Jones, the Sunderland striker.

Zamalek, the Egyptian side, are willing to pay up to £1million to sign Mido, the Egypt forward, on loan from Middlesbrough.

Dead certs

Blackburn have given a trial to Alharbi el-Jadeyaoui, the midfield player who has one year left on his contract at Brest, of the French second division.

Paulo Da Silva has signed a three-year deal with Sunderland after the defender left Toluca, of Mexico.

Brian Easton is expected to move to Burnley after the club agreed a fee for the Hamilton defender.