According to information provided by Fabrizio Romano, there exists a “gentleman’s agreement” that may allow Liverpool to reunite with a former Anfield favorite.
Journalist Ben Jacobs recently told EPLnews that following an incredible 13 months at Bayer Leverkusen, when he took over with the team ranked 17th in the Bundesliga and led them to the top of the table at the moment, Xabi Alonso is currently “turning heads” at his previous club.
Given his position at Liverpool, it would take an unbelievable set of circumstances for Jurgen Klopp to leave before his contract expires in 2026. Despite this, there is still conjecture over who will replace him in the long run.
Romano clarified in his Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside that the 42-year-old has a “gentleman’s agreement” rather than a formal release clause in his Leverkusen contract, which could enable one of his three previous clubs—Liverpool, Bayern Munich, or Real Madrid—to obtain his services at a discounted price.
“Alonso is a fantastic manager, so it’s not surprising to see links with other clubs at this time, though I’m told there isn’t a proper release clause in his contract,” the Italian stated.
“I’ve been told it’s just a gentleman’s agreement between Alonso and the Leverkusen board; nothing official for other clubs to trigger.” This summer, Alonso was linked to a few clubs; however, Leverkusen insisted he would stay, promising to allow him to eventually join a very elite club.
“There is no standard release clause, so it’s more about persuading Alonso than it is about paying Leverkusen a formal release clause. Alonso will be the one with the final say, and he will make that decision in the summer.”
If Liverpool wants to lure Alonso back to Anfield, they have a great chance to take advantage of this revelation from Romano, but there’s a chance Bayern or Real Madrid will get to him first.
The Bavarian team is known for being a volatile place where managers are frequently under a lot of strain. Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the current campaign, leaving a position in the dugout to be filled.
It’s possible that Merseyside chiefs are privately hoping that they won’t need the 42-year-old when Klopp’s current contract expires in 2026 if he ends up at one of those teams after Leverkusen.
Because of his fantastic work in Germany, where his team has already scored an incredible 62 goals in all competitions this season while surrendering just 14 goals, Alonso’s managerial stock is currently at an all-time high (Romano).
Though nobody would likely be as well accepted and allowed as much tolerance by the fan base as the Spaniard, given his fantastic form as a manager and his talent as a former Reds player, Klopp will be a very difficult act for whoever eventually takes over at Anfield.
