Xabi Alonso 'leaning towards Bayern Munich' over Liverpool

Stuart Telford

• 5 Mar 2024 13:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Xabi Alonso would reportedly rather join Bayern Munich than Liverpool and has already held talks with the record Bundesliga champions according to Sky Germany.

Alonso has become hot property this season after steering Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga, 10 points clear of Bayern, and overseeing an undefeated streak that stretches to 33 games in all competitions.

Previously a midfielder of quite some aplomb, Alonso is understood to be held in high regard by three of his former clubs in Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid.

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But with Real handing Carlo Ancelotti a new two-year contract in December, it now looks like a two-horse race for Alonso's signature.

Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel will leave Liverpool and Bayern respectively at the end of the current season, and both clubs reportedly want the Spaniard.

'Discussions have already taken place'

"Xabi Alonso is FC Bayern's preferred candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel in the summer," report Sky Germany. "The first discussions have already taken place - with a positive signal from the Munich side's perspective.

"The successful Bayer Leverkusen coach is currently leaning towards FC Bayern [over Liverpool]… The record German champions would have to dig deep - Alonso would cost €15- 25 million this summer - depending on how many titles he wins with Bayer."

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Alonso is understood to be wary of following Klopp at Liverpool - a manager who has won nine major honours including a Premier League and Champions League across his nine seasons at Anfield.

A number of players are expected to follow Alonso out of Leverkusen should he leave. Liverpool have previously scouted Piero Hincapie and Florian Wirtz. Bayern share their interest in Wirtz, and have also recently added Jeremie Frimpong to their wish list.

Alonso has a 66.2 per cent win percentage with Leverkusen - the fourth-best in Bundesliga history.