SHOCKING NEWS: coming live from Fabrizio Romano, 🚨 JUST IN, Xabi Alonso could be making a Liverpool U-turn after director talks as Richard Hughes targets £120.5m trio. According Liverpool have not given up on Alonso and there could be a big announcement coming from anfield.
Xabi Alonso was reportedly on the verge of making a sensational return to Liverpool before engaging in talks with Bayer Leverkusen’s director of football. Liverpool had earmarked Alonso as their top choice to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but the former midfielder declared his intention to remain at Leverkusen for at least another season during a press conference last month.
Despite Liverpool’s interest, Alonso believes that Leverkusen’s BayArena is the ideal environment for his coaching development, especially as the club is poised to potentially secure a remarkable treble this season. Ruben Amorim has since emerged as Liverpool’s leading candidate for the managerial position, but it’s revealed that Alonso was indeed close to joining the Reds before having a change of heart following discussions with Bayer’s management.
During these talks, Alonso reportedly emphasized his desire to retain certain key players if he were to continue as Bayer’s manager beyond the current season. Among these players, Florian Wirtz stands out, as he is highly coveted by top clubs across Europe, including Liverpool and Manchester City. Additionally, Edmond Tapsoba, Piero Hincapie, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, and Victor Boniface have also attracted interest from various clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool, along with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, are said to admire Grimaldo and are considering a move for the wing-back. Grimaldo, valued at £38.5 million by Transfermarkt, joined Leverkusen on a free transfer from Benfica last summer and has been instrumental in the club’s success this season, contributing significantly with 26 goal contributions across all competitions.
With Liverpool shifting their focus to Ruben Amorim, it comes as no surprise that they are also linked with several star players from Sporting Lisbon. The newly appointed sporting director, Richard Hughes, reportedly has his sights set on Goncalo Inacio, a centre-back valued at £52 million, and Marcus Edwards, a Tottenham academy graduate who has previously been linked with a £30 million return to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly interested.
