Liverpool given clarity over Xabi Alonso's future after release clause rumours

19 November 2023 , 10:52

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Bayer Leverkusen have insisted that Xabi Alonso does not have a release clause in his contract, though the Bundesliga club insist they will not stand in his way if he wanted to move.

Alonso took over as Leverkusen boss last October and enjoyed an impressive first season. He has followed up his good start by taking Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga, having won 10 and drawn one of their opening 11 games.

Their stunning start to the campaign has put them two points ahead of Bayern Munich and dreaming of a first Bundesliga title since 2011. Even if their title challenge falters, Alonso looks set to come in for heavy interest from Europe's bigger clubs.

There were rumours that Alonso may have a clause in his contract that would allow him to join one of his former clubs from his playing days. That would have put Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern in line to make a move to appoint him.

Madrid look the likeliest of needing a new boss in the summer, though he is also being lined up as the perfect successor to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. But Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro has now poured cold water on suggestions that a clause exists.

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"No, but you don't need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club,"

when asked about any release clauses in Alonso's contract.

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Liverpool given clarity over Xabi Alonso's future after release clause rumours

Bayer Leverkusen have insisted there is no release clause in Xabi Alonso's contract (Oliver Kaelke/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

"And at the end of the day, we're not going to force someone to stay if he doesn't want to stay. We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay and this is our objective.

"There is nothing on paper [allowing Xabi to leave for a former club]. But sometimes agreements that are not on paper are agreements as well. We know if he needs to do a move in the future we will be able to talk with each other. And I hope we will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy at Leverkusen."

Alonso was linked with the post at Madrid earlier in the season, with Carlo Ancelotti increasingly likely to move on. But the Leverkusen boss has hit back at those rumours, insisting he is staying focused on his current job.

"Coaching Madrid? It's September, it's early days. I remain focused. We started the season well, we want all the players to be focused. That's why I have to be the first," he said when asked about the links two months ago.

"The players know what football is like. That's nothing new. We haven't talked about it. One thing at a time. Now I'm here, I'm very happy. Now I'm here, I'm very happy and what has to come in the future will be seen.

"Normally in football when you think in the medium to long term you lose focus of what you have closer and right now, I only think about what we have here."