Bayer Leverkusen hand Liverpool huge blow in Xabi Alonso pursuit

Bayer Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes has insisted he is "sure" Xabi Alonso will remain at the club beyond this summer.

Alonso has masterminded an outrageous season at the helm of Leverkusen, whose emphatic 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich at the weekend left them firmly in control in the Bundesliga title race.

His performance has caught the eye of Europe's elite sides but few have been linked with Alonso as strongly as Liverpool, who will bid farewell to Jurgen Klopp in the summer and have been tipped to make a move for their former midfielder.

Asked if he was confident Leverkusen would be able to keep hold of Alonso beyond this season, Rolfes told Sport1 he was "sure" before listing three reasons for his confidence.

"One is the contract setup," Rolfes began, referring to the fact Alonso is under contract until 2026. "The other thing is how comfortable he feels, his family and himself, and he knows what he has in this club.

"He has a very good team, we will have a good perspective next year and there will be no change to the team."

90min understands Alonso's contract with Leverkusen does include a release clause which is applicable solely for the Spaniard's former clubs - Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Reports elsewhere place the clause at between €15m-€18m.

Madrid remain committed to Carlo Ancelotti, who recently signed a new contract, but Alonso is a leading candidate for his other former employers.

While Liverpool definitely need a new manager, Bayern may also be in the market after an underwhelming season which could end without Bundesliga honours for the first time since 2012, with current boss Thomas Tuchel yet to win over fans.

Leverkusen have failed to win just four games in all competitions this season and have not tasted defeat at all since the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP