Liverpool discover bargain Xabi Alonso release clause with new way to land Leverkusen boss | Football | Sport

Liverpool will be able to poach Xabi Alonso for a bargain fee in the summer of 2025 thanks to a release clause written into his contract, according to reports. Alonso, who is close to guiding Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title, was heavily linked with a move to Anfield earlier this year.

Alonso was also admired by Bayern Munich before announcing that he had decided to stay at Leverkusen for at least one more season. He remains tied down until 2026 but his release clause will make him available for just £13million next year, according to The Mirror.

It is said that Liverpool were initially planning to interview Alonso as part of their search for Jurgen Klopp‘s successor ahead of next season. However, they would have had to fork out a compensation package well in excess of the value of his release clause, which will become active in 2025.

The Reds could still face competition from Bayern Munich when it comes to securing Alonso’s services next year. The German giants were said to have been ‘hell bent’ on prising their former midfielder away from Leverkusen to replace Thomas Tuchel, who will step down at the end of the current campaign.

Real Madrid may also join the race to land Alonso despite their current boss, Carlo Ancelotti, remaining under contract until 2026. The latter signed a new deal in the Spanish capital last year but could see his position come under threat if the club fail to meet expectations in La Liga and the Champions League next season.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are still searching for a new manager to succeed Klopp with Alonso out of the running until his release clause becomes active. Sporting boss Ruben Amorim, who has also been linked with Chelsea in the event Mauricio Pochettino is sacked, is thought to be a leading contender for the Reds job.

Amorim refused to provide any assurances over his future when quizzed on Liverpool’s interest earlier this week, saying: « No, I can’t make any guarantees. Sporting are dealing with their future and I can’t decide now because I gave my word, I can’t go back on that, so if I don’t win trophies, I’m going to leave Sporting.

« That’s been very clear since the start. I felt it was important to get that across to the players because we have to win. We want to win trophies and we’ll decide on those things later. I’m not worried about that right now. The future has been planned for quite a long time.

« We’re all together as a club and looking into all situations and what we want for next season, so that’s the main reason why I can’t guarantee anything. I said that to my players and as the leader I can’t go back on my word, as hard as that may be. »