- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Barcelona are preparing for life without Xavi Hernandez this summer and have already earmarked one candidate, HITC understands.
HITC understands that the candidate that the Spanish side are considering is Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who has done incredibly well in the Bundesliga this season.
Sources have told HITC that the club’s sporting director Deco has been tasked with finding Xavi’s replacement and he is doing work and making checks and the former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Alonso is one of the names on the shortlist.
German boss Hansi Flick and Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi are also understood to be on the list of targets for the Spanish club.
Barcelona’s Klopp interest
One name who is also understood to be high on the list is Jurgen Klopp with the Spanish giants understood to be ready to gauge his interest about a move.
However, as it stands, the German is not looking for a move to Spain having cited the fact he needed a break at the end of this season after nearly ten gruelling years at Anfield.
Alonso, though, is very much someone who has impressed Deco, but the path to him is far from straightforward as HITC understands that Liverpool are ready to make him their number one target.
With Klopp leaving Anfield in the summer, Alonso is high on the list of targets to replace the iconic German which could scupper Barcelona’s plans.
As mentioned, Alonso is performing brilliantly with Bayer and has them five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga following their 3-0 win over Bayern Munich at the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen’s stance
It now seems there could be a tussle for the Spaniard this summer and this has unsurprisingly led to the German side coming out and claiming he will remain in the Bundesliga.
Speaking on Sport1 TV programme Doppelpass, Rolfes said he believes Alonso will be at the club next season: “Yes, I’m sure of that.
“One [reason] is the contract, the other is how comfortable he feels, the family, himself. That he knows what he has in the club. That he knows that he has a very good team and that we will also have a very good prospect next year.
“That we are set up by the team in such a way that there is no upheaval because many players leave us, but that we have an absolute top team available, these are all points that, in addition to contracts coaches like Xabi, but also players who arouse interest from other clubs, often keep with us.”
The post Sources: Barcelona ready to battle Liverpool for key appointment, Deco is very impressed appeared first on HITC.
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