Xabi Alonso says it is up to Liverpool and Real Madrid to reach a fee after admitting he is tempted by the Spanish club's "impressive project".

Empics / JonBuckleAlonso: Rumours suggest he has stayed on in Spain

The midfielder linked up with his team mates in Vienna before jetting off for their tour of the Far East.

Speculation has been rife that the 28-year-old would join Madrid before Liverpool's trip to play pre-season fixtures against Thailand in Bangkok on Wednesday and Singapore next Sunday, but officials are still working on a deal.

In an interview with the AS newspaper, Alonso said: "It is always a great feeling when Madrid want you, especially considering the phase of the career I am in now. But at this point, whether or not that can happen is not up to me.

"It's a matter that involves three parties, including myself. I do not like to force the issue. I prefer to talk. Madrid's project is certainly impressive. But beyond that, I cannot tell you anything else.''

Alonso also said he intends to hold discussions with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

He said: "I will talk to him, sure, but the first thing to do when I arrive [in Austria] is to greet him. But I imagine that in the next few days, there will be time for all that, even though in reality, there is nothing in particular to talk to Rafa about. It's the clubs who have to negotiate to reach an agreement.''

On the reported fee, Alonso said: "I am not the man who can answer these questions. The truth is that I cannot say much, because every little thing can be misinterpreted. And I do not know how things will turn out either because I am not a fortune teller.''

However, Benitez refused to be drawn on Alonso's future: "Xabi Alonso is here with us so he will be available,'' he said. "One thing that you need to understand is the Spanish press. The future of Xabi Alonso is to enjoy here with the people of Thailand and the weather and the game. The next week he will be here.''

Benitez also revealed he has no plans to discuss the situation with the player, who signed a five-year deal in June 2007 and proved one of Liverpool's key performers last term. "We'll talk about tactics and the game and try to enjoy our football,'' he added.

Benitez did rule out a move for Valencia striker David Villa though: "David Villa, he is not our target,'' he said.

Defender Glen Johnson is the only significant piece of business to have been completed so far this summer after joining from Portsmouth but Benitez hinted there could be further big-name arrivals ahead of the August 31 transfer deadline.

"We have already signed Johnson, an international for England. He is a good signing and Andriy Voronin is coming back, he was one of the best players in the German league, so we have two good additions. You never know in football, we still have some time and we need to keep working on other names,'' he said.

"We have fantastic players and hopefully we can keep the level of last year and see with one or two additions we could improve a little bit. At the moment we are very pleased.''