Nagelsmann to Liverpool: The state of play as Barca step up Amorim chase

Tom Weber

• Updated: 2 Apr 2024 14:59 BST
• 4 min read

Liverpool may be forced to take a keener interest in Julian Nagelsmann after the news that Barcelona are stepping up their pursuit of Ruben Amorim.

Sporting CP boss Amorim is viewed as one of the top candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp after Xabi Alonso announced that he would be staying with Bayer Leverkusen last week. According to one of Amorim's former players, Joao Palhinha, it is only a matter of time before the Portuguese becomes the head coach of Liverpool.

However, it seems that Palhinha jumped the gun. Nothing is set in stone yet and Liverpool are facing a major threat from Barcelona, according to The Independent. It is claimed that, while other top clubs were busy courting Alonso, the Blaugrana had been working on Amorim and they are stepping up their pursuit now that the likes of Liverpool are looking at the 39-year-old.

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His release clause could prove a stumbling block for the cash-strapped Catalans, though there are conflicting reports as to how much exactly would need to be paid. Sky Germany claimed on Monday that Amorim's clause stands at €10 million, while the above-mentioned report speaks of €13m and some reports in France even go as high as €20m.

Nagelsmann to Liverpool?

Among the options for Liverpool should they miss out on Amorim are Roberto de Zerbi, Simone Inzaghi and Julian Nagelsmann. Out of these, it seems that Germany coach Nagelsmann may be the most attainable. There have been no suggestions that Inzaghi would be prepared to leave his exciting Inter project and De Zerbi won't come cheap despite recently hinting that he could leave Brighton.

Nagelsmann, out of contract after Euro 2024, will be readily available in the summer, though the DFB are trying to get him to extend, while Bayern Munich are considering re-hiring the 36-year-old. Though Nagelsmann has been identified as a viable target for the Reds, Ben Jacobs reports that Amorim and De Zerbi are higher up on Liverpool's shortlist.

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This is due to the fact that there may be concerns over Nagelsmann as a cultural fit. It is claimed that one of the reasons why he was sacked by Bayern last year was due to a lack of maturity. Jacobs writes that some felt his "swagger bordered on arrogance" and his conduct also led to a premature end to talks with Chelsea last summer.

Nagelsmann has revealed that he wants to get back in the club game and he wants to have his future resolved before Euro 2024 so that he can fully focus on the tournament on home soil.