Liverpool have reportedly submitted a request to Bayer Leverkusen to hold talks with Xabi Alonso as they prepare for the exit of Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season.
Klopp struck a bolt from the blue when he announced in January he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The German tactician, who has won seven major trophies with the Reds, said he has run out of energy to continue in the dugout at Anfield and wants to take a break from football management at least for a year.
Liverpool have been on the hunt for a new manager to take over from the soon-to-be-leave boss. Xabi Alonso has been identified as a top target and candidate to replace Klopp.
Sources close to Liverpool revealed the club have been on the trail of Xabi Alonso following his standout campaign with Bayer Leverkusen in the German elite division.
Now, according to a report shared by Transfer Live, Liverpool have now submitted an official request to Bayer Leverkusen to allow them to begin talks with Xabi Alonso.
With a little over three months before Klopp's departure, Liverpool have intensified their hunt for Xabi Alonso.
It is understood the Merseyside club are in for a tight race to sign Alonso with Bayern Munich also interested in bringing the Spaniard to Allianz Arena to replace exit-bound Thomas Tuchel, who will also leave at the end of the season.
When asked about reports linking him to a move to either Liverpool or Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso played down the rumors insisting he is Bayer Leverkusen manager, in contract with the club, and is focused on his job.
According to German outlet BILD, Bayern Munich are more likely to beat Liverpool in the race to sign Xabi Alonso with the latter said to be interested in a move to Allianz Arena than Anfield.
Nevertheless, nothing is yet official with the two clubs expected to continue pushing for a deal with the 42-year-old.
Klopp struck a bolt from the blue when he announced in January he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The German tactician, who has won seven major trophies with the Reds, said he has run out of energy to continue in the dugout at Anfield and wants to take a break from football management at least for a year.
Liverpool have been on the hunt for a new manager to take over from the soon-to-be-leave boss. Xabi Alonso has been identified as a top target and candidate to replace Klopp.
Sources close to Liverpool revealed the club have been on the trail of Xabi Alonso following his standout campaign with Bayer Leverkusen in the German elite division.
Now, according to a report shared by Transfer Live, Liverpool have now submitted an official request to Bayer Leverkusen to allow them to begin talks with Xabi Alonso.
With a little over three months before Klopp's departure, Liverpool have intensified their hunt for Xabi Alonso.
It is understood the Merseyside club are in for a tight race to sign Alonso with Bayern Munich also interested in bringing the Spaniard to Allianz Arena to replace exit-bound Thomas Tuchel, who will also leave at the end of the season.
When asked about reports linking him to a move to either Liverpool or Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso played down the rumors insisting he is Bayer Leverkusen manager, in contract with the club, and is focused on his job.
According to German outlet BILD, Bayern Munich are more likely to beat Liverpool in the race to sign Xabi Alonso with the latter said to be interested in a move to Allianz Arena than Anfield.
Nevertheless, nothing is yet official with the two clubs expected to continue pushing for a deal with the 42-year-old.