German champions Bayern Munich have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso about replacing Thomas Tuchel in the summer.
Alonso, who is also of interest to Liverpool, is Bayern’s preferred candidate and they are understood to have received a positive signal from the Spaniard during initial talks.
The 42-year-old would cost Bayern between £12.8m-£21.3m (€15m-€25m) this summer as a fixed exit clause in his contract of around £12.8m (€15m) does not kick in until the summer of 2025.
According to reports Bayern are cautiously optimistic that Alonso will move to Munich.
Alonso says that Liverpool and the [Jurgen] Klopp legacy are a difficult number. You could lose more than win.”
Bayern confirmed in February they will part ways with Tuchel at the end of the season. His side currently trail Leverkusen by 10 points in the Bundesliga and lost their Champions League last-16 first leg 1-0 at Lazio.
