It’s no secret that Liverpool have identified former midfielder Xabi Alonso as their priority candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp when the German icon departs Anfield this summer. But if the Reds are forced to take an alternative route amid Alonso’s success at Bayer Leverkusen and rival interest, they may have to shell out a record fee.
Leverkusen have moved 10 points ahead of Bayern Munich at the Bundesliga summit, going unbeaten in their 24 league games.
Alonso is breaking records in his first senior managerial role, unsurprisingly linking him to the soon-to-be-available jobs at former clubs Liverpool and Bayern.
But as he guides the German outfit to a potentially historic season, with Champions League qualification edging closer, Alonso may consider a summer exit too early.
Similarly, replacing Thomas Tuchel in the Bayern hot seat would be viewed as a less risky decision than the ever-competitive Premier League at such an early stage of his coaching career.
Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is another prominent name ahead of what has the potential to be a domino of managerial switches at the end of the campaign.
He, like Alonso, has caught the eye in Portugal and is reportedly on multiple Premier League clubs’ shortlists, likely including Chelsea and Manchester United.
However, if Liverpool or any of their top-flight rivals want to lure Amorim away from the Portuguese giants, they would have to part ways with a world-record £25.6million compensation fee.
And in an age where clubs are becoming increasingly more aware of Financial Fair Play regulations and the Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability rules, that prospect appears unlikely.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is the current holder of the record. Bayern splashed £21.7m to snatch him from RB Leipzig to replace Hansi Flick in 2021.
Nagelsmann’s stock was soaring after an impressive stint in Leipzig, but he lasted less than two years before making way for Tuchel last March.
The 36-year-old’s contract as Germany manager expires after this summer’s Euro 2024, where he will lead the host nation.
