Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has a ‘verbal promise’ that he can leave this summer if a good offer comes in.
Alonso has done wonders at Leverkusen since joining in 2022 when they were near the bottom of the league. Now, they’re close to winning their first ever Bundesliga title, ahead of serial champions Bayern Munich.
Because of this, both Bayern and Liverpool are interested in Alonso, who used to play for both teams. Bayern have said that their head coach Thomas Tuchel is leaving at the end of the season, and Jurgen Klopp is also stepping down as Liverpool boss this summer.
Sky Germany says that Leverkusen will let Alonso take a new job if they get enough money for him. The report says there’s no written exit clause in Alonso’s current contract, which lasts until 2026.
The report also says that Bayern and Liverpool might have to pay up to 25million (£21.4m) to get Alonso, reports The Mirror Online. But Alonso hasn’t said anything about his future and insists he’s only thinking about Leverkusen’s title bid.
Xabi Alonso has played down links to the Liverpool job, saying: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen,”. He added: “I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.”
When asked about Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool, Alonso said: “[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.”
“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.”
“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 quizzed about Bayern Munich, he said: “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.”
