Xabi Alonso Set For Move To Bayern Munich, Club Boss Says

Bayern Munich has apparently landed another coup, shortly before the end of the summer transfer period. Spanish World Cup winner Xabi Alonso is set to join the record-breaking German club, according to the Bayern bosses.

Bayern Munich look to be continuing with their summer spending spree, saying that they have "agreed in principle" with Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso about him joining the club before the transfer period closes next week. Bayern deputy chairman Jan-Christian Dreesen communicated the club's plans at a press conference in Munich on Thursday. According to German media reports, the Spanish superstar is expected to cost Bayern around 10 million euros ($13.19 million) in transfer fees.



"It is correct that we are in friendly and final talks with Real Madrid and we will hopefully reach an agreement in the next day or two," Dreesen said. The deal looks set to take place as Alonso will journey to Munich on Thursday for the traditional pre-transfer medical.



"We believe it is necessary [to sign Alonso] for our team, to meet the requirements of our fans and the club as a whole," said Bayern sports director Matthias Sammer. "It was a purely sporting decision to help us immediately and raise our quality. Alonso's constitution means he is capable of playing at the very highest level for at least another two years."



The 32-year-old defensive midfielder will be expected to help make up the loss of Javi Martinez, who injured himself in pre-season competition. If the deal goes through as expected, Alonso will be the second big name player to join Bayern in just a few days: earlier this week the club signed on Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia, from Italian club AS Roma.



Alonso won the Champions League with Real Madrid in May of this year, but has previously played with Liverpool and Real Sociedad. He also made 114 appearances for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012. He will be the fifth Spanish player to join Bayern's ranks since coach Pep Guardiola took over at the club last year.



al/hc (dpa, SID)