Xabi Alonso is reportedly more likely to choose a move to Bayern Munich over Liverpool if he decides to leave his current club, Bayer Leverkusen, this summer.
Liverpool is keen on bringing Alonso back to Anfield as a replacement for Jürgen Klopp, while Bayern also have their eyes on him as Thomas Tuchel is set to depart at the end of the season. Alonso’s Leverkusen are currently leading the Bundesliga, 10 points ahead of second-place Bayern, and haven’t lost a game in 38 matches this season.
While the temptation to return to either of his former clubs is strong, Alonso could decide to stay with Leverkusen and guide them into the Champions League. However, if he does choose to leave, it seems Bayern may be the favorites to secure his services.
Sky Germany reports that Bayern are optimistic about convincing Alonso to make the move to the Allianz Arena, even though negotiations have not yet begun. The report also suggests that Alonso would probably choose Bayern over Liverpool if he decides to leave Leverkusen.
Bayern’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, has hinted that Alonso is their top choice to replace Tuchel. Speaking at a Munich Trade Fair, Hoeness said: “He [Alonso] has proved that he can be a coach for the big time.
“There are hardly any suitable coaches who are currently free. Rather they are coaches who are under contract somewhere and possibly have great success.
“And that makes it much more difficult because clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are working on it [securing Alonso]. It’s not so easy to tell them that Bayern is the measure of all things.”
Alonso is nearing what could be a historic Bundesliga title for Leverkusen. They just need 15 points from their next eight games to claim the top spot. The team will also square off against West Ham in the quarters of the Europa League next month.
Alonso has been a key figure in Leverkusen’s surge since he took over as manager in October 2022. He’s managed to guide the team to victory in 50 of their 75 matches.
Their goalkeeper, Lukas Hradecky, stated that if Alonso chooses to move on, nobody at the club would hold it against him. “No-one would be angry or argue if he wins the Bundesliga and decides to go another route,” Hradecky said.
“We see it daily that he loves to be in Leverkusen. He enjoys Dusseldorf where he lives. But if you look at it from another point of view: How can you make it better than this season? “.
“We have built something that’s worth a trophy. I hope it comes. Football is cruel sometimes, you don’t want Bayern breathing down your necks but hopefully the platform we have created is enough. We’re getting closer. That’s the mission. We have to keep believing. We are getting closer to our dream and I hope it happens.”
“For Xabi, there is a lot to ponder but he’s enough of a gentleman to make the right decision and only he knows what’s best for him.”
Liverpool.com says: Don’t despair just yet Liverpool fans. Reports have veered wildly on Alonso over the past few weeks — we’re probably just as likely to get one soon saying he prefers a move to Anfield over Bayern.
The truth is, only Alonso knows what he wants to do right now. Chances are, we won’t get a definitive answer while Leverkusen is still trying to get the Bundesliga wrapped up. Even then, they might still have the DFB-Pokal and Europa League to go after, so sit tight, we could be waiting a while.