Arsenal have made an initial approach for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to British media reports Monday.

Manager Arsene Wenger is keen to pair the 26-year-old with his Spanish compatriot Cesc Fabregas and is believed to be prepared to offer around 10.5 million pounds (20.7 million dollars), the fee Liverpool paid to bring him from Real Sociedad four years ago.

With Liverpool hopeful of landing Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry this week, Alonso has been told he can leave Anfield, although Liverpool have set a price tag of 18 million pounds.

'The value of Alonso in the market will be really high,' said Benitez.

'We are really pleased with him and we don't want him to go unless we get a very good price.'

Barry's move had seemed to have fallen through after Liverpool missed a deadline to come up with the 18 million pounds Villa were demanding.

But Villa boss Martin O'Neill has now reconsidered.

'I gave it some thought and realised there is little point in pretending,' O'Neill said.

'Gareth would want to join Liverpool and therefore there would be no deadline. I have agreed with Gareth now.

'That's it, no problem: Liverpool have all the time in the world to do it if they want to raise the money.'