Real Madrid 'ready to rival Liverpool for Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso'

The 42-year-old has been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield ever since the German announced that he will be stepping down from his post at the end of the season.

Alonso is under contract at Leverkusen until June 2026 and the club's sporting director Simon Rolfes recently affirmed that he is «sure» that the Spaniard will remain in charge for the 2024-25 campaign.

Nevertheless, Liverpool have allegedly identified Alonso as their primary candidate to succeed Klopp and are said to have already made contact with him to gauge his interest in the soon-to-be vacancy at Anfield.

Alonso spent five years as a Liverpool player between 2004 and 2009, making over 200 appearances and winning four trophies including the 2005 Champions League.

The former midfielder then spent the next five years at Real Madrid up until 2014, winning another Champions League in his final season at the club as well as one La Liga title among five trophies during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Like Liverpool, Real Madrid are said to be keeping tabs on Alonso's managerial situation, and Football Insider reports that a move to Los Blancos is 'likely to be the best pathway' for his career, with current boss Carlo Ancelotti set to see his contract expire in 2026.

The prospect of Alonso staying at Leverkusen for at least one more season could therefore benefit Real Madrid's chance of luring the Spaniard to La Liga, considering that Liverpool are on the hunt for a new boss this summer.

Alonso, who has also been linked with replacing Xavi at Barcelona, has insisted that he is «really happy» in his current role at Leverkusen and