Securing Xabi Alonso’s transfer to Bayern Munich this summer appears “probably impossible”, according to the club’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness.

The Bayer Leverkusen manager has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel when he departs in the summer.

While there have been rumours linking the Spaniard as a possible replacement for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Hoeness suggests that Alonso is more likely to remain at Leverkusen.

“We’ll have to see if we can do it this year,” he said.

“It will be difficult, if not probably impossible.”

“[Alonso] is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind,” Hoeness added.

“Let’s say if he had two or three more years of success, it would probably be easier to bring him out of there.”

In his second year as a manager, Alonso finds himself on the verge of guiding Leverkusen to their maiden German Bundesliga title.

With a commanding 10-point lead over reigning champions Bayern Munich and eight games left to play, Leverkusen remains undefeated in all competitions.

In addition to rumoured interest from Liverpool and Bayern, Alonso has also been linked with a potential return to Real Madrid, another club he represented during his illustrious playing career.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are in the process of finalising a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso “behind the scenes” as they develop a succession plan for Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure, which was announced in January.

The online news portal claims that “the Reds are ready to “break the bank” to get him.”

“The Merseysiders haven’t given up on luring their former midfielder back to Anfield in the off-season.”

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