High-Flying Leverkusen Deny Alonso Has Release Clause In His Contract
Bayer Leverkusen have denied the existence of any clause in manager Xabi Alonso's contract that allows him to leave for any of his former clubs.
Leverkusen are flying high under Alonso this season, winning ten of their opening 11 Bundesliga games to lead the table ahead of Bayern Munich.
The Bay Arena outfit have also won all four of their Europa League group stage games.
Such brilliant form has led to speculations that Alonso could be poached by the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich; clubs he represented with distinction during his playing career.
Alonso signed a new contract with Leverkusen until 2026 this summer but the club's hierarchy say it does not contain a release clause, although they will not stand in his way if a big opportunity came his way.
On whether Alonso has a release clause to join a former club, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro told Ben Jacobs: ‘No, but you don’t need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club. And at the end of the day, we’re not going to force someone to stay if he doesn’t want to stay.
‘We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay and this is our objective..
‘There is nothing on paper [allowing Alonso to leave for a former club]. But sometimes agreements that are not on paper are agreements as well.
‘We know if he needs to do a move in the future we will be able to talk with each other. And I hope we will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy at Leverkusen.’
