Xabi Alonso is getting interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich ahead of the summer.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso has gained substantial momentum as it has been reported that the manager of Bayer Leverkusen would prefer to return to Anfield than take Thomas Tuchel’s place at Bayern Munich. Although the Reds seem to be in the lead to capture the former midfielder, both teams are very much in the running for the Spaniard’s signing.
In January, Jurgen Klopp declared his intention to leave his position as manager of Liverpool at the end of the current campaign. The former Borussia Dortmund manager acknowledged that he was “running out of energy” in the Anfield dugout and thought that, as the club’s higher authorities had supported him through thick and thin and were unlikely to fire him anyhow, he should accept responsibility for leaving.
Both Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton and Ruben Amorim of Sporting have been mentioned as potential successors to Klopp on Merseyside, while Julian Nagelsmann, the manager of the Germany national team, is also rumoured to be a contender being considered.
Nonetheless, Alonso is Liverpool’s top managerial target after the team was impressed by his transformation of Bayer Leverkusen and his ability to lead his team to the Bundesliga’s summit without losing in 21 league games.
But, with Tuchel struggling to win over his team and the higher authorities at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich is also keen on the former Real Madrid playmaker. As a result, it appears that the German powerhouses and Liverpool will compete for Alonso at the end of the season, with the Premier League team now holding the upper hand.
Despite knowing that both teams are interested, the 42-year-old currently prefers to join the Red over Bayern, according to Foot Mercato. Given that Tuchel still has time to turn things around at Bayern, Liverpool’s certainty that they will require a new manager as a result of Klopp’s early announcement is also seen as a benefit.
Over the previous few weeks, Alonso has refrained from commenting on the rumours, stating that he is still intent on working with Leverkusen on the current assignment. Since the German team is leading the league, taking home the championship before leaving might be the best way for Alonso to say goodbye to the team that gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his managerial skills.
Though reports suggest that the former Spain international is free to leave the club in favour of returning to one of his former clubs (Liverpool, Bayern, and Madrid), the higher powers at the BayerArena have asserted that there is no release clause in Alonso’s contract and that any move would require their approval.