Liverpool Appears Poised To Lose Out On The Acquisition Of Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso.
Former Bayern Munich and Germany manager Hansi Flick has been linked with the position, but Laporta has refuted any discussions with the 59-year-old.
“In regard to Pini Zahavi offering Hansi Flick? I have a good relationship with Pini and Jorge Mendes. They are the agents I have known for a long time. However, I have conveyed to them: Please do not persist because we are committed to Xavi until the end of the season,” he added in the same interview.
Xavi has reiterated his decision to leave this summer despite the team’s impressive form, stating it on multiple occasions since his initial announcement.
The Barcelona boss maintains that even winning the Champions League this season would not sway his decision, as he believes a change of manager is in the best interest of all parties come summer.
Barcelona will resume action against Las Palmas in La Liga next weekend before traveling to France for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with PSG on April 10.
The report suggests that the World Cup champion has identified Bayern Munich as his preferred destination, with the coach currently striving to outperform the Bavarian club in the race for the Bundesliga title.
Liverpool is widely rumored to be competing for Alonso’s services, with the former Reds midfielder being touted as their top target as the season draws to a close.
The Anfield outfit is actively seeking a successor to German manager Jurgen Klopp, who is set to depart his Merseyside role at the conclusion of the season after nine years.
While Alonso remains Liverpool’s primary choice, the club is also exploring alternative options should they fail to entice the 42-year-old to the Premier League.
Reports indicate that Klopp’s side is also considering the availability of Ruben Amorim, who is currently steering Sporting Lisbon towards the Primeira Liga title.
As for the reigning Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich is in search of a new manager following the announcement of Thomas Tuchel’s departure at the end of the season.
Despite advancing to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the team, led by Harry Kane, is facing a challenging season overall, with Bayern Munich seemingly on course to surrender the German title for the first time since 2012.
As the likelihood of Xabi Alonso joining Liverpool appears to diminish, reports suggest that the Liverpool squad is keen on Pep Lijnders taking over first-team duties next season.
Currently serving as Klopp’s assistant, Lijnders is a highly regarded figure in Merseyside but has limited managerial experience, having briefly managed Eredivisie side NEC in his coaching career.
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