Serie A giants Juventus have targeted Liverpool‘s Xabi Alonso as a top end of season transfer target, according to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mirror.

La Vecchia Signora came close to signing the 56-time capped Spain international last summer, as the Reds were prepared to sell him to fund Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry’s move to Anfield. However, the Merseyside outfit were unwilling to meet the Villans’ valuation of the England international and subsequently decided to hang on Alonso.

As the Bianconeri go in search of silverware once more, it seems that they have set aside €16.7 million (£15m) to purchase the 6ft midfielder during the 2009 close season.

“I will try and bring in Alonso for the Juventus central midfield,” agent Ernesto Bronzetti is quoted as saying.

“There was a long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it is a road we know. Pairing him with [Mohamed] Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield.”

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez recently admitted the club may have to sell to purchase his targets this summer, which apparently reignited Juve’s interest in Alonso.