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 targets. The Spanish manager, once rumored to join Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen after leading them to their first-ever Bundesliga title, their second German cup, and a Europa League final.

Now, Alonso may inflict more heartbreak for Liverpool fans, as he reportedly made a personal phone call to a Liverpool transfer target, Waldemar Anton, to convince him to join the German champions instead. With veteran defender Joel Matip departing at the end of the 2023/24 season, Liverpool has been searching for a center-back to offer rotation options for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

VfB Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton has emerged as new manager Arne Slot’s primary target. The 27-year-old made 37 appearances for Stuttgart last season, helping them finish second in the Bundesliga with 12 clean sheets. However, according to Sky Sports Germany, Alonso has made two personal phone calls to Anton, offering him a contract until 2028.

Anton’s contract with Stuttgart, which expires in 2027, includes a release clause between €20-25 million, allowing him to negotiate with other clubs if the clause is triggered. Despite this, he has not yet made verbal agreements with any club. Borussia Dortmund, Champions League finalists, have also been in contact with the player.

Liverpool and Stuttgart boast a good relationship, having negotiated for the transfer of Wataru Endo last summer, meaning the Merseyside club is 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 Julian Nagelsmann, who included him in the final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.

While Anton was an unused substitute in Germany’s 5-1 thrashing of Scotland in the tournament’s opening fixture, he could feature later in the competition should Germany secure a place in the round of 16 by winning their second fixture against Hungary on Wednesday.