Reports from Germany suggest that Bayern Munich is confident of being Xabi Alonso’s preferred destination if he decides to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Alonso is a top candidate on the managerial shortlists for both Bayern Munich and Liverpool ahead of the 2024/25 season, following his successful two-year tenure with Bayer Leverkusen.
Liverpool has been in search of a successor for Jurgen Klopp since he announced his decision to leave the club in November. However, Bayern Munich is believed to be in a more advantageous position in the race for Alonso.
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Sources from Bayern, as reported by Sky Sport Germany, express cautious optimism that Alonso, if he departs Leverkusen in the near future, would choose Bayern over Liverpool. There is added pressure on Klopp’s successor at Anfield due to his significant legacy, and Alonso is concerned that he might ‘lose more than win’ despite his popularity as a fan-favorite during his playing days.
Bayern Munich has initiated discussions with Alonso, and it could cost the reigning German champions €25 million to release him from his current contract, as his €15 million release clause becomes active only in the summer of 2025.
Thomas Tuchel has already announced his decision to step down from his role at Bayern at the end of the season. However, there are reports that he could be sacked immediately if Bayern is eliminated from the Champions League at the last 16 stage this week. Bayern faces Lazio in the second leg, aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit.
In the Bundesliga standings, Bayern is trailing Leverkusen by ten points with ten matches remaining. Leverkusen, in their 119-year history, has never won the Bundesliga but has finished as runners-up five times.
On the Premier League front, Liverpool remains one point clear at the top following a dramatic 99th-minute victory at Nottingham Forest over the weekend.