Arne Slot Blocked Liverpool Transfer After Surprise Xabi Alonso Phone Call

Xabi Alonso engaged in a "brief" phone call with one of his top transfer targets last year, but a move failed to materialise after Liverpool essentially blocked it from happening.

Towards the end of the 2024 summer window, Alonso was keen to add more firepower to his Bayer Leverkusen side as they prepared to challenge in both the league and Champions League.

They added a trio of players to their squad, including left winger Martin Terrier, a £20 million signing from Ligue 1 side Rennes, and midfielder Aleix Garcia, who joined from Spanish outfit Girona.

But Leverkusen wanted to add another midfielder to their ranks: Tyler Morton.

Morton, who made his Premier League and Champions League debut for Liverpool in late November 2021, had spent the last two campaigns on loan in the Championship with Blackburn and Hull respectively.

Alonso left Leverkusen for Real Madrid in May. Image credit: Getty

He flourished in the centre of Blackburn's midfield, making 43 appearances in all competitions, before impressing again on loan at Hull.

In fact, such was his impact at the MKM Stadium, Leverkusen expressed a strong interest in signing the highly-rated midfielder, who was reportedly valued at around £20 million by Liverpool.

More than a year later and Morton, who has hit the ground running at French side Lyon following his recent move, has opened up about a phone call he had with then-Leverkusen boss Alonso, who is now in charge of Real Madrid.

"It’s a funny story," he told SPORTbible. “I was on a golf course with my mates at the time. I got a text from my agent, who said: 'Xabi Alonso’s going to call you soon'. I’d heard about the move but didn’t speak about it too much because I’d been told I wasn’t leaving Liverpool."

Alonso expressed his admiration for the Liverpool academy graduate during the call. "He (Alonso) told me how highly he rates me as a player," said Morton, who described their "brief" conversation as the type of moment you dream of.

"They wanted to sign me."

Morton has been one of the standout performers in Ligue 1 this season. Image credit: Getty

Liverpool were said to be considering a loan offer from Leverkusen, while numerous European clubs, including Atalanta and RB Leipzig, were also said to be keen, but in the end, a transfer failed to materialise.

"They (Leverkusen) came in quite late that summer, but I spoke to the manager (Arne Slot) about it and Liverpool wanted me to stay," the midfielder added.. "I spoke to my agent, and we were pushing a move, but it was difficult."

As mentioned above, Morton has impressed at new club Lyon following his £15 million move in August. After winning the Player of the Match award on his home debut against Metz, he scored the winner against Lille in September.