Xabi Alonso holds talks to convince ‘excellent’ Liverpool ace of move, fee proving to be an issue

Follow us on Google Discover

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly been in talks with a Liverpool ace to move to the Bundesliga side.

Liverpool have yet to make a first-team addition this summer but Arne Slot’s side kicked off their campaign under the Dutchman with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Incomings could get busy with days to go after Liverpool agreed terms for the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer with the Valencia goalkeeper set to spend time out on loan at Bournemouth.

Outgoings have also been important for the Reds and it appears that the Merseyside club are closing in on an exit.

Xabi Alonso in talks with defender Sepp Van den Berg

According to a post on X, former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso has held talks with Anfield defender Sepp Van den Berg over a move to the Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

That’s according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who reports that does not mean a deal is close to being done for the Dutch defender.

Plettenberg reports that Alonso has spoken to the Liverpool defender and personal terms between him and Leverkusen are not likely to be an issue.

With just a fee remaining to be agreed between the two clubs before a deal can be completed it appears that Alonso has worked his magic on the Dutch defender and a move could indeed be possible.

The issue that unfortunately remains is the fee that Liverpool are understood to be demanding around £15 million, with a further £5 million in add-ons but that is a fee that the German champions are not willing to spend.

Premier League side could scupper Van den Berg deal

Brentford are reportedly ‘there’ in the race for Van den Berg and the English side would be willing to pay the fee required to sign the Dutchman.

Another side reportedly keen on the Dutch defender is Wolfsburg so it seems that Leverkusen will need to make a sale this summer if they want to bring the Dutch defender to the club.

Van den Berg has never made an impact at Liverpool but during his loan at Preston North End, Alex Neil hailed the defender as ‘excellent’ when speaking to the Lancashire Post. It appears a move away from Anfield is on the Dutchman’s horizon.