Liverpool’s chances of enticing Xabi Alonso back to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s successor in the summer could receive a boost from a rumored clause in his Bayer Leverkusen contract.
Klopp’s surprising announcement on Friday morning about stepping down as manager of Liverpool at the end of the current campaign has triggered speculation about potential replacements.
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While several names, including Julian Nagelsmann and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, have been linked, Alonso, a former fan favorite, emerges as the leading candidate.
The Spanish midfielder, who had a five-year stint with Liverpool from 2004 to 2009 before moving to Real Madrid, has been gaining recognition as a coach.
Currently steering Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table, they are not only four points ahead of Bayern Munich but also maintain an unbeaten record, including a perfect run in the Europa League, where they could potentially face Liverpool in later stages.
While prying Alonso away from Leverkusen might seem challenging, German publication BILD has previously reported a clause in his contract that could facilitate a move to Liverpool.
The 42-year-old, contracted with the German side until 2026, allegedly negotiated a provision allowing him to join any of the three European giants he played for during his career: Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
This arrangement could come into effect from the summer onwards, coinciding with Klopp’s departure.
However, Liverpool may not have an uncontested path to secure Alonso, as Real Madrid is also reportedly considering him as a long-term successor to Carlo Ancelotti, and there are uncertainties surrounding Thomas Tuchel’s future at Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro has previously denied the clause, however, saying in November: ‘No, but you don’t need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club.
‘And at the end of the day, we’re not going to force someone to stay if he doesn’t want to stay. We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay – and this is our objective.
‘There is nothing on paper [that would allow Alonso to leave for a former club]. But sometimes agreements that are not on paper are agreements as well. We know if he needs to do a move in the future we will be able to talk with each other. And I hope he will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy at Leverkusen.’
