Xabi Alonso has hinted that he will sign a new long-term contract with Spanish outfit Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season, but the midfielder has suggested that he is ready to sign an extension at the Bernabeu.
"It is extremely intense playing in this team, in both a good and a bad sense. You are constantly in the public eye," he told El Mundo's Fuera de Serie-Magazine. "The pressure, the demands and the responsibility are far greater here, so you must be very conscious of all this to live up to expectations and be liked by the Bernabeu faithful.
"Fortunately, I've always felt loved by the club and the fans. Little by little you start to visualise what you can do. To start with, I'd like to have more time off to spend with my family."
"Sometimes I think I could continue working in football, maybe as a coach. At other times I think I'd like to disconnect. I want to win trophies with Real Madrid followed by the World Cup."
A number of clubs are believed to be closely monitoring developments.
Matt Law
