Xabi Alonso requests €300m spending spree amid Liverpool talks

Cameron Smith

• 26 Jan 2026 15:23 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Former Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has reportedly requested four major signings amid ongoing talks over a return to Liverpool.

The Spaniard is currently out of work after leaving Los Blancos by mutual consent earlier this month and he has emerged as a strong contender to replace Arne Slot and become the new Liverpool head coach.

Slot, 47, is under increasing pressure at Anfield after an underwhelming defence of their Premier League title, and rumours have speculated that he could be sacked in order to make room for Alonso.

The Dutchman has just 18 months remaining on his current contract with the Reds and an exit certainly appears to be a possibility, especially if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League this year.

Reports in Spain have suggested that Alonso has already been approached by the Liverpool hierarchy and transfer reporter IndyKaila has now claimed that a meeting took place on Friday.

Alonso’s tactics were reportedly discussed, while the Spaniard’s representatives requested the signings of Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Bradley Barcola (PSG) and Michael Olise (Bayern Munich).

Xabi Alonso to become new Liverpool boss?

Liverpool spent close to €500 million on new signings last summer, but a number of positions are still in need of reinforcements and Alonso reportedly wants assurances that big moves will be made in the market.

IndyKaila has also insisted that Slot will not be in charge of Liverpool next season, with the club ready to part ways with the ex-Feyenoord boss. Meanwhile, club legend Steven Gerrard is reportedly ready to take over on a temporary basis if Slot departs before the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Alonso is, however, the current favourite to become the next permanent Liverpool manager, with the Reds eager to bring him back to Anfield following a hugely successful playing career at the club.

The Spaniard, who was heavily linked with a Liverpool return following Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down from his role as manager, won 24 of his 34 matches as Real Madrid boss, but he departed the club in mid-January, largely due to a poor relationship with the first-team squad.

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