Xabi Alonso release clause denied by Bayer Leverkusen chief in blow to Liverpool and Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso does not have a release clause in his contract that allows him to join one of his former clubs, Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has revealed.

Alonso has been tipped to join the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the future after starring as Leverkusen boss.

The 41-year-old has taken the club to the top of the Bundesliga and look like serious title contenders.

He has got Leverkusen playing electric football in just over a year in charge that has put him on the radar of some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

It had been reported that he had a release clause in his deal at the BayArena that would allow him to head to one of his former clubs.

However, Carro told talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs at Soccerex in Miami that this is not the case.

When asked if Alonso has a release clause for his former clubs, he said: “No but you don't need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows that we are a serious club.

“At the end of the day, we're not going to force someone to stay if he doesn't want to stay. We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay and this is our objective.

“No nothing on paper but sometimes agreements that are not on paper are agreements as well and we know that if he needs to do a move in the future we'll be able to talk with each other.

“I hope we will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy in Leverkusen.”

Alonso already had clubs chasing after him when he was Real Sociedad B boss and his stock has only risen since joining the Bundesliga club.

Leverkusen are top of the table having won 10 and drawn one of their opening 11 games.

Real Madrid could be the most likely candidate for Alonso with Carlo Ancelotti in his last season at the club, with his contract expiring in the summer.

He won five trophies there as a player, including LaLiga and the Champions League.

Liverpool are said to see the former midfielder as a possible replacement for Jurgen Klopp, but he may be at another club by the time the German’s contract runs out in 2026.