Xabi Alonso has a secret 'Liverpool clause' in his Bayer Leverkusen contract, according to a new report.
Alonso's Leverkusen side have had a stunning start to the Bundesliga season, and are top of the league after picking up 19 points from their opening seven games.
New signing Victor Boniface has scored seven goals in seven matches, while Jonas Hofmann, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong have all impressed.
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Alonso's style of play has also caught the eye. No other team has recorded a higher pass accuracy than Leverkusen (89 per cent, as per WhoScored), while only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have had more average possession per match.
Furthermore, Bayern are also the only team to have more than Leverkusen's 17.6 average shots on goal per match.
The side's form has led to speculation over the future of Alonso, who has transformed the club since being appointed last October.
Given his status as a Liverpool icon, having played a key role in the side that won the 2005 Champions League final, Alonso has been considered as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp when the German boss does decide to leave Anfield.
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And according to German outlet BILD, Alonso has a clause contained within his Leverkusen contract that will allow him to join Liverpool as early as next summer if an approach is made.
The report also claims that similar clauses exist for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, the two other major European clubs that the Spaniard played for.
With speculation over Carlo Ancelotti's future as Real boss, amid claims he is being lined up to coach Brazil at the 2024 Copa America, the Bernabeu could be the most logical destination for Alonso.
Klopp has a contract until 2026 at Liverpool, and it would be a surprise to see the German not fulfilling that deal in its entirety.
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Speaking after he signed his two-year extension last year, Klopp said: "I love our club, it's the best place to be. I feel really, really lucky.
"What it is now? Six and a half years ago, FSG thought it would be a good idea to bring a German fella in, and here we are. We will stay for another two, makes it four from now on."
Should Klopp decide to leave Liverpool in 2026, and should Alonso be available, the former Reds midfielder could be the ideal replacement.
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Bayern Munich