Max Eberl 'has agreement' with Liverpool and Bayern Munich
Coveted sporting director Max Eberl has reached agreements to take over at both Liverpool and Bayern Munich, according to one report.
The 50-year-old was dismissed from his role at the RB Leipzig earlier this season, amid rumours of interest from Bayern.
Leipzig cited a 'lack of commitment to the club' as their reasons for parting ways, with Eberl reportedly toying with the idea of a move to the German champions.
However, while there are no longer any obstacles to Eberl joining Bayern, Liverpool may also be ready to compete for his signature having targeted the former Germany Under-21 defender last year following Julian Ward's decision to step down from his role.
Now, according to Sport Zone, Eberl has already agreed terms with both Liverpool and Bayern.
The report claims that the transfer chief's preference is to join the German champions, where he spent time as a youth team player and even made one first team appearance, but a period of imposed 'gardening leave' following his Leipzig exit means he would not be able to take over immediately.
While the length of Eberl's 'gardening leave' is not specified, it is added that should a deal with Bayern become impossible, he has given his word to Liverpool.
German outlet BILD add that Eberl has given a clear priority to Bayern despite 'renewed interest' from the Reds.
However, rather than a start date being the only stumbling block, BILD's report claims that there are still those in Bayern's hierarchy who are not convinced about the former Borussia Monchengladbach sporting director – with CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen preferring to hand the role to Christoph Freund.
Eberl is said to be 'honoured' by Liverpool's interest, where a move might be simpler.
The Reds appointed Jorg Schmadtke on a short-term contract at the start of the summer to fill the void left by the departure of Ward.
The 59-year-old former goalkeeper has helped facilitate the arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, all from Bundesliga clubs, but was something of a surprise appointment when he came out of retirement to join Liverpool.
During the summer transfer window, Schmadtke revealed that while he has a one-year deal at Anfield, both parties have the option to end the relationship early if they see fit.
He said: "We agreed on a year of co-operation and agreed to see what would happen after three months. We sit down together, look each other in the eye and decide how to proceed.
“Both sides are so sovereign and serious that the question is then answered – does it still make sense or not? It could be that we shake hands and part."