Xabi Alonso could cost interested clubs a world-record fee this summer as Liverpool and Bayern Munich look to appoint the Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Alonso has emerged as Europe’s most in-demand coach after leading Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table this season, with the German outfit 10 points clear of Bayern Munich and closing in on a first-ever league title.
Leverkusen are targeting a treble in Alonso’s first full season in charge, having also reached the DFB-Pokal semi-finals and the last 16 of the Europa League.
Die Schwarzroten are unbeaten in all 34 games this season in all competitions and Liverpool and Bayern are competing to prise the 42-year-old from the BayArena.
Alonso spent time at both clubs during his playing career and is the top target for each ahead of imminent change in the dugout.
Jurgen Klopp will step down as Liverpool manager in the summer after almost nine years in charge and the Reds have made Alonso their frontrunner to replace the German.
However, Alonso is contracted at Leverkusen until 2026 and the Mirror are reporting that he could cost clubs in excess of the £21.7m world-record fee that took Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich in 2021.
Sky Germany have reported that Bayern have held initial talks with Alonso’s representatives over a potential move to Munich this summer.