Media war starts over potential new Liverpool manager – Club ‘very irritated’ by what is presented as lies

Bayer Leverkusen have grown ‘very irritated’ by the reports around manager Xabi Alonso as Liverpool and Bayern Munich battle for his signature.

That’s according to BILD, who say the German club are growing annoyed by media lies regarding their sought-after manager. Sky Deutschland are on the receiving end of the blame.

BILD explain that Leverkusen have seen reports on Monday that Alonso has reportedly held first talks with Bayern Munich over taking charge, with that report claiming he has a €15m release clause.

They were left ‘very irritated’ by that report, insisting that there is neither a transfer fee nor a release clause in the Spaniard’s contract. Furthermore, he’s not held talks with Bayern, Liverpool or any suitor.

This stance is backed up by the fact that when Liverpool had asked about Alonso recently, that information was passed on to them straight away by his agent Inaki Ibanez. That didn’t happen with the reported Bayern talks, and so it didn’t happen.

Bayern are also refuting the rumours, with BILD reporting that those in charge are still waiting for a signal from Alonso as to whether he is available for negotiations. That hasn’t happened yet.

They also add that talks of a release clause is wrong and instead, according to BILD’s information, there is only a ‘gentlemanly agreement’ that they won’t put any obstacles in their manager’s way if Bayern, Liverpool or Real Madrid move for him and he wants it.

Leverkusen would ask for a transfer fee from Bayern and would probably want more from them than from Liverpool given they’re direct competitors.

The moment, though, there is no concrete negotiations or even minimal talks taking place, with Leverkusen actually assuming Alonso will remain with the club.