Granero, a product of the Real Madrid youth system, returned to the club he originally joined as an eight year old, last month in a 4 million euros move from Getafe.

    He has only made two first team appearances, but impressed in Peace Cup games against Quito and Juventus, where the fans showed their enthusiasm for him.

    It is a happy return for the 21-year-old, who took a pay cut to move back to the club he loves, although he is not getting carried away for the moment.

    ”I am very happy, but I am not going to give myself marks out of ten. At the moment it is a question of getting fit and to adapt to the team as fast as possible.”

    Granero admitted he was delighted at the reception he has got from the fans, who have treated him with as much affection as big money signings Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

    ”The truth is that I am taken aback by the ‘feeling’ that I have with the stands. It really is a nice surprise and an extra point of motivation.”

    ”The affection I have had is something special for me and I think it gives me a bit more responsibility,” said Granero.

    Despite his excellent display against Juventus, Real Madrid failed to reach the final of the Peace cup. But with a month to go before the Spanish season kicks off, the youngster believes there is time for things to improve.

    ”We still lack rhythm and we are still suffering the typical physical problems from pre-season such as losses of concentration. However, aside form the odd defensive lapse and lack of rhythm, I think we are on the right track,” he said.

    Real Madrid’s next friendly games are Canada and the USA, where the team plays games against Toronto and DC United.

    Purslow met with Real Madrid representatives and discuss the question Sunday when he went with Liverpool to Barcelona in a friendly against Espanyol.

    However, he insisted that the meeting did not mean the transfer saga, which has been dragging on for several weeks, would be resolved in the near future.

    ”This meeting has only served to put our positions on the table. We need to continue talking,” he told Spanish sports paper Diario AS.

 The main problem seem to be Real Madrid’s unwillingness to meet Liverpool’s valuation of Alonso, a Spain international and a key part of the team that finished last season second in the English Premier League.

    Press sources say that Liverpool wants around 40 million euros for Alonso, while Real Madrid is unwilling to offer over 25 million. The player has handed in an official transfer request to his current club.

    Purslow said that Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez had given his OK to the deal, but denied many of the stories that have appeared in both England and Spain in recent weeks.

    ”Rafa (Benitez) arranged this knowing what was coming. It was important that we know. So far, most of what is being said is a lie. We were negotiating through the press. It makes no sense,” he said.