Xabi Alonso lined up for huge move to European giants his dad played for in blow to Liverpool

XABI ALONSO has been lined up for a stunning move to Barcelona – a club his dad played for – in a huge blow to Liverpool. 

The Spaniard is currently top of the Camp Nou club’s ‘shortlist’ to replace Xavi Hernandez, who announced earlier this season he would be leaving the club this summer.  

Barca are keen to get their paws on the red-hot Bayern Leverkusen manager and are hoping his childhood ties with them might tip the balance in their favour.  

Alonso’s father Miguel Alonso, known to some as Periko, played for Barcelona between 1982 and 1985. making 54 appearances.

A large portion of Alonso’s childhood was spent in Catalonia, first in Barcelona, and then in Sabadell where his father also played. 

If he were to be swayed, it would be a heavy blow to Real Madrid who reportedly want the 42-year-old to replace Carlo Ancelotti and work some of his magic at Bernabeu.

They’ve also got their own claim to the Leverkusen manager, whose six seasons, 236 appearances and six major trophies at the club have made him a legend there. 

Alonso even went on to spend time as a youth coach in the Spanish capital, another reason for Real Madrid to hope they might soon hold the managerial ace. 

Liverpool however lead the hunt, despite Alonso’s childhood ties with Barca.

HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL

He’s been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool after the Reds manager dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. 

Alonso is leading the betting at 4/5 with Jamie Carragher believing the Spaniard would be the ideal choice.

Carragher told Sky Sports: “You can’t get away from Xabi Alonso because he’s so respected at Liverpool already for what he did as a player – he’s a Champions League winner, held himself with real class, he’s a World Cup winner.

“Right now, the job he’s done at Bayer Leverkusen, he looks like the brightest young thing in European football. It certainly makes him the front-runner.”

But now Bayern Leverkusen have thrown a spanner in the works as their managing director has announced he doesn’t think Alonso will be going anywhere at all.

It’s no surprise the Leverkusen HQ are digging their fingernails in given the success Alonso’s had with them.

He took over in October 2022 when the club were in a relegation battle and has since led them to the very top of the Bundesliga. 

Now sitting five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a 3-0 victory to their biggest rivals Bayern Munich at the weekend.

Managing director Simon Rofles responded ‘I’m sure’ to a question asking whether Alonso would stay. 

He went on, saying: “The other thing is how comfortable he feels, the family, himself and that he knows what he has in the club. 

“He also has a very good team, we will have a very good perspective next year and there is no change in the team.

“These are all points that, in addition to contracts, coaches like Xabi but also players who arouse interest from other clubs often keep us with us.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk