Xabi Alonso has insisted he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen next season despite speculation linking him with positions at Tottenham and Real Madrid.
Alonso has won admirers during an impressive first season at Leverkusen, who were in the relegation places at the time of his appointment in October and have since improved to climb to seventh in the Bundesliga and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
Spurs are understood to have been interested in discussing their vacant role with the former Liverpool midfielder, while Real Madrid have been named as a potential destination should Carlo Ancelotti move on at the end of the season.
Alonso, however, has insisted that he is ‘very happy’ in Leverkusen and confirmed he will be staying at the German side.
Xabi Alonso plays down rumours about Tottenham and Real Madrid: “Yes, I’m gonna stay at Bayer Leverkusen”. 🚨🔴 #Bayer04
“I’m very happy at this club and with this team”, he added via @berger_pj. pic.twitter.com/j2OFwaj1Uy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2023
“Yes, I’m going to stay at Bayer Leverkusen,” he said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Leverkusen’s Europa League semi-final second leg with Roma.
“I’m very happy at this club and with this team.”
Leverkusen are 1-0 down from the first leg in Rome last week, ahead of the return at the BayArena on Thursday evening. The Germans have not reached a European final since finishing as runners-up in the Champions League in 2001/02.
