This is how much Liverpool will have to pay if they want Xabi Alonso

If Liverpool are to appoint Xabi Alonso as Jurgen Klopp's successor in the dugout at Anfield, it's going to cost them a pretty penny, according to reports coming out of Germany.

Alonso, who has been making waves in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, is seen as the leading candidate to take over the reins at Anfield following the end of Klopp's nine-year tenure at the end of the season.

However, Leverkusen's willingness to let Alonso depart hinges on Liverpool, or any other potential suitors, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, meeting their hefty compensation demands.

As reported by Sky Germany, Alonso's current club would demand anything up to €25 million (around £21.3 million) to release him at the end of the current season.

However, the circumstances would change by 2025, when a release clause of around €15 million (around £12.8 million) would apply.

The 42-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed remarkable success in his managerial career so far. He is currently steering Bayer Leverkusen to a commanding 10-point lead at the top the Bundesliga table, with the side looking poised to break Bayern Munich's remarkable 11-season streak of league dominance.

His tenure with the German side came on the back of leading Real Sociedad's B team to promotion to the second tier of Spanish football.

Competition from Bayern

However, Liverpool's pursuit of Alonso is not without competition. Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested in securing his services, indicating the widespread recognition of Alonso's managerial acumen.

While Alonso remains the frontrunner for the Liverpool job, alternative options are being considered. Sporting's Ruben Amorim and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi are among the contenders under Liverpool's radar, as per reports from The Mirror. Additionally, Julian Nagelsmann, currently managing the German national team, is also reportedly being monitored by the Liverpool hierarchy.

Alonso's potential appointment would mark a significant chapter in Liverpool's history, with the club poised to invest substantially to secure his services. Should negotiations prove successful, Liverpool could shatter the existing world record fee for a managerial transfer, surpassing the £21.7 million Bayern Munich paid for the aforementioned Nagelsmann in 2021.

Curiously, this fee would be more than double what the Reds paid to sign the midfielder from Real Sociedad back in 2004.