Alonso has 'verbal promise' over next club as Liverpool eye Klopp replacement

29 February 2024 , 19:56

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Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso (Image: Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Im)

Xabi Alonso has a verbal agreement with Bayer Leverkusen that he will be allowed to leave this summer if the Bundesliga side receive a 'suitable offer'.

Alonso has done an impressive job since joining Leverkusen in 2022 when the club was in the relegation zone. They are now on the cusp of winning their first ever Bundesliga title, having gone eight points clear of Bayern Munich.

As a result, both Bayern and Liverpool have been heavily linked with Alonso, who played for both clubs during his illustrious career. Bayern have announced that head coach Thomas Tuchel will be leaving at the end of the season, while Jurgen Klopp is also set to step down as Liverpool boss this summer.

And according to Sky Germany, Alonso has a 'verbal promise' from Leverkusen that they will allow him to take on a new job if they are offered 'suitable' compensation. The report notes that there is no written exit clause in Alonso's current contract, which runs until 2026.

It also adds that Bayern and Liverpool could be forced to pay up to €25million (£21.4m) in compensation for the Spaniard. Alonso, meanwhile, has remained tight-lipped about his future and insisted he remains fully focused on Leverkusen's title bid.

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"Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen," he said last month when asked about Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool. "I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.

"[It was a] big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jurgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration. I am really happy here. I am enjoying my work here. I am feeling each day and each game is a challenge.

Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are interested in making Alonso their next manager (Getty Images)

"I am on a beautiful journey in Leverkusen. The next one, I don't know. I am thinking about where I am right now. I am in a great place and I am enjoying. Saturday is what really matters. I don't really care what is going to happen in the future right now."

And when asked last week about the links to Bayern, he added: "Right now I am Bayer Leverkusen coach and that's certain. Regarding the future, I have nothing new to say. That's only hypothetical. Again — I have nothing new to say."

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Matthew Cooper