Xabi Alonso makes personal phone call to Liverpool target in attempt to hijack Arne Slot move

Xabi Alonso could cause Liverpool fans more pain by taking one of Arne Slot’s top summer transfer target.

The Spanish manager was rumoured to join former club Liverpool this summer following the confirmation that Jurgen Klopp would leave after nearly nine years at Anfield.

However, after leading them to their first ever Bundesliga title, their second German cup and a Europa League final, Alonso decided to stay with current club Bayer Leverkusen.

And, the 42-year-old may cause even more heartbreak for Liverpool fans, as he reportedly made a personal phone call to a Liverpool transfer target to convince him to instead join the German champions.

With the departure of veteran defender Joel Matip at the end of the 2023/24 season, Liverpool have been searching for a centre-back to offer rotation options for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

And recent reports have suggested that VfB Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton is new manager Arne Slot’s primary target.

The 27-year-old made 37 appearances for the German club last season, who finished second in the Bundesliga with 12 clean sheets.

But according to Sky Sports Germany, Alonso has made two personal phone calls to the German defender, offering him a contract until 2028.

Anton’s contract with Stuttgart, which is set to expire in 2027, includes a release clause between €20-25 million, leaving him free to negotiate with other clubs should the clause by triggered, but he is yet to make verbal agreements with another club.

The report also mentions that Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund have been in contact with the player.

Waldemar Anton was included in Germany's final squad for Euro 2024. (Image: Getty)

Liverpool and Stuttgart boast a good relationship having negotiated for the transfer of Wataru Endo last summer, meaning that the Merseyside club are not completely out of the running despite Leverkusen being in pole position to secure Anton’s signature.

Anton’s talents have also been noticed by German national manager Julien Nagelsmann, who included him in the final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.

While the defender was an unused substitute in Germany’s 5-1 thrashing of Scotland in the opening fixture of the tournament.

However, Anton could feature later in the competition should Germany win their second fixture against Hungary on Wednesday and secure a place in the round of 16 before their final group game against Switzerland.

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