ESPN has revealed that Xabi Alonso is open to managing Liverpool, succeeding Arne Slott, but he wants guarantees of success through three signings in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Slott’s days at Anfield appear numbered, and he could even be sacked before the end of the season if Liverpool are eliminated from the Champions League early by Galatasaray.
According to the latest report, there has already been contact between Liverpool’s management and Alonso, and the Spaniard welcomes the opportunity, but he has set a crucial condition: he needs specific players to avoid a repeat of his experience at Real Madrid.
Alonso wants to bring in Italian center-back Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan to bolster Liverpool’s defense, especially since Ibrahima Konaté is likely to leave the Reds this summer.
The second name the Basque coach is keen on is Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, who has attracted significant interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United in recent months.
Practically speaking, Liverpool could secure both deals despite the expected high cost, but the third remains the most difficult for the Reds’ management.
Alonso is a huge admirer of Bradley Barkola, the Paris Saint-Germain winger, and believes Liverpool lacks a player with exceptional dribbling skills. Therefore, he is pushing for the Frenchman’s signing more than any other player.
Barkola’s contract with PSG runs for another two years, and signing him would be extremely expensive. It’s not expected that the French club’s management will accept anything less than €100 million or more to part with one of their standout players of the last two years.
