Liverpool is still in a three-way competition to sign Xabi Alonso for next season.
The Reds appear to have settled on Alonso as their top pick to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the end of the campaign.
However, with Bayern Munich and current club Bayer Leverkusen both interested in keeping the Spaniard, the competition is far from over. As the situation heats up, German source BILD has published the latest updates. And this could be excellent news for Liverpool.
They cite claims from Sky Germany this week that Alonso had begun discussions with Bayern. While refuting these rumors, BILD reports that Leverkusen are’very annoyed’ by media speculation that their manager is communicating with their Bundesliga championship rivals.
According to reports, Liverpool’s interest in the 42-year-old has been registered with his agent and passed on to Leverkusen, but the same has not happened with Bayern. In fact, the Munich club is still reportedly waiting for a’signal’ from Alonso that he is eager to discuss.
Leverkusen are also allegedly irritated by rumors that the coach’s contract has a release clause. There is alleged to be no such clause. However, this does not imply that Alonso will come for free. A transfer fee would still be required, with Bayern’s standing as a rival implying they would have to pay a higher price than Liverpool.
Leverkusen is annoyed with media methods.
All of these could be very advantageous to Liverpool. Clearly, Leverkusen wants to keep Alonso. He’s doing an excellent job at the BayArena despite just being there for 18 months. But if he does depart, they will undoubtedly do all in their power to keep him from going to Bayern Munich.
Not only are the Munich club their closest rivals right now, but they have a history of poaching outstanding talent from their own league.
As Germany’s largest club, it’s not unreasonable to assume that they have a significant influence over the media narrative. Perhaps Leverkusen sees this week’s reports as tactics to unsettle them in the title race.
If that’s the case, it’s difficult to see how they’ll side with Bayern over Alonso.
Of course, the final choice will not be up to them. It will be up to Xabi. However, given his quiet and careful demeanor, it would be unusual for him to upset his bosses by choosing the unpopular alternative.
Liverpool appears to be doing everything right thus far, which should appeal to both Alonso and his club. From Leverkusen’s perspective, if it has to be anyone, it should be Liverpool.
For the time being, the attention will be on what appears to be Die Werkself’s most historic season. A first Bundesliga title now appears likely, and they are also strong contenders for the German Cup.
In the Europa League, they might still face Liverpool. Perhaps that will provide another opportunity to capitalize on Leverkusen’s dissatisfaction with their domestic rivals.
