Xabi Alonso picks his first three Liverpool signings

Robin Bairner

Updated: 18 Mar 2026 12:22 GMT
3 min read

Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Xabi Alonso is preparing to take over as Liverpool manager from Arne Slot, and the former Real Madrid boss has already earmarked three new arrivals for another exciting summer transfer window at Anfield.

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Liverpool invested heavily in the market last summer but have not seen the desired results from their investment.

Lying fifth in the Premier League table, Arne Slot’s job is in grave danger and failure to qualify for the Champions League next season could well see him replaced.

Alonso is seen as Slot’s natural successor. Out of work since being sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season, the Spaniard is already a favourite of the Anfield crowd thanks to his playing days at Liverpool, while he has a strong body of work behind him in the dugout with Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso wants Barcola, Wharton and Bastoni at Liverpool

Liverpool have spared no expense in the transfer market lately, and Alonso has made significant demands of the board, according to El Nacional, which indicates that three major signings have been identified by the Spaniard.

Alonso wants to strengthen each line of Liverpool’s squad and is working along the same lines of thinking as Klopp, who wants a centre-back, a central midfielder and a replacement for Mohamed Salah.

Bradley Barcola has been identified by Alonso as the player he wants for the wing. The France international netted in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Chelsea but has reportedly been unsettled in Paris.

Barcola has been selected because the former Real Madrid boss believes Liverpool lack a “pure dribbler” to destabilise opponents.

In the heart of the pitch, meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is the player the Reds want. He has long been linked with a move to the Anfield club.

Finally, in the middle of the defence, Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan has been targeted. He is being touted as the heir to Virgil van Dijk thanks to his quality, experience and distribution.

Compared

Alessandro Bastoni

D (CL)

Inter

Alessandro Bastoni

D (CL)

Inter

VS

Adam Wharton

M (C)

C. Palace

Adam Wharton

M (C)

C. Palace

€73M	ETV	€64.8M
€65.7M - €80.3M	ETV Range	€58.4M - €71.3M
26 years old (13 Apr, 1999)	Age	22 years old (06 Feb, 2004)
Italy	Nationality	England

Analysis: Can Liverpool complete €280m deals

Liverpool need fresh blood in their squad, and this trio of players are undoubtedly of the world-class level required to elevate the Reds.

Targeting such players and actually landing them will be no easy task, particularly with the type of finances involved.

The report indicates that around €280 million will need to be put aside to capture these players, although their combined Estimated Transfer Values (ETV) come out around the €200m mark.

With Liverpool having spent so big last summer with little return, sales will naturally need to be made in order to fund such an ambitious project once again – but if it means the return of Xabi Alonso to Anfield, the board may well feel that it’s worth the gamble.

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