Xabi Alonso could block two Man Utd signings and boost Liverpool in the process

Xabi Alonso could stop Manchester United from signing two players in the summer should he join Liverpool.

According to the Manchester Evening News (MEN), United are continuing to monitor Bayer Leverkusen defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba.

Frimpong, a right-back, and centre-back Tapsoba were both linked to United last summer before embarking on a thus-far sensational unbeaten campaign under Alonso at Leverkusen.

Tabsoba started in Leverkusen’s 3-0 victory over title rivals Bayern Munich on Saturday night, while Frimpong emerged from the bench to score their final goal in injury time.

MEN claim United held discussions with Frimpong’s representatives last year, only for the Old Trafford club to defer a move for the right back in the wake of Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s upturn in form and Diogo Dalot’s contract renewal.

However, United are expected to be in the market for a new right-back with Wan-Bissaka having only 18 months on his contract and likely to be sold in the summer.

Tapsoba, who is under contract at Leverkusen until 2028, is also said to be of interest to United, with the club looking to sign a young and athletic centre half ahead of next season.

Yet a move for either could be scuppered should Alonso join Liverpool at the end of the season.

The Spaniard, who played for the Anfield club between 2004 and 2009, is the bookies' favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer, after guiding Leverkusen from the relegation places to the Bundesliga summit in less than two seasons.

Frimpong scored the third goal in Leverkusen's 3-0 win over Bayern (Getty)

Should he join Liverpool, he will likely be able to convince both Tapsoba and Frimpong of the merits of joining the Reds over their Premier League rivals.

Alonso was quizzed on the topic of joining Liverpool next season upon the news of Klopp’s imminent departure.

Alonso was quick to insist he was happy at Leverkusen, though stopped short of directly ruling out a future move to Anfield.

"At the moment I'm really happy here, I'm enjoying my work," he said. "Each day it's a challenge & we are on a beautiful journey here in Leverkusen. To be honest, I am not in that moment to think about the next step. I am thinking about where I am right now."

Topics: Football, Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, Manchester United, Premier League, Bayer Leverkusen

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.