Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is prepared to pay the financial package in order to secure the services of Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, according to The Mirror.
The former Liverpool midfielder has impressed since taking over as manager at Leverkusen in October of last year having guided the club from the threat of relegation to sixth place in the Bundesliga and will also face Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the semi-final of the Europa League.
The report claims that Alonso is now Levy’s first choice to take charge in north London following Antonio Conte’s departure in March which has seen Cristian Stellini and more recently Ryan Mason installed as interim head coach.
It is said that it would take one of the ex-Spanish international’s salary to be paid up to release him from his responsibilities in Germany with just a successful interview for the role at Tottenham left remaining prior to any potential appointment.
If Tottenham are unable to secure the services of Alonso, they will turn their attention to Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, who has all but guided the Dutch side to the Eredivisie title.
Alonso recently distanced himself from reports of a possible exit at Leverkusen, when he said, as quoted by Goal: “Rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve.
“That’s why my head is 100 percent here for the last few months. And my head is also 100 percent here for next season.”
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The report from The Mirror does not make any reference to Tottenham’s interest in Julian Nagelsmann in any shape or form, which does pose the question of whether Alonso is Levy’s first choice, or is top of his alternative shopping list if he is unable to persuade the German to take charge.
Mikel Arteta’s success down the road has seen Tottenham potentially look to copy the Gunners by appointing a relatively young, inexperienced manager to begin a new project.
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