Yahoo News Xabi Alonso 'made Liverpool U-turn' before rejection as Michael Edwards 'plots double transfer'
Liverpool returns to action in the Premier League against Crystal Palace on Sunday and will be hoping to put the Europa League hammering at the hands of Atalanta behind it quickly. Here's your round-up of the latest Reds news.
Xabi Alonso 'made Liverpool U-turn'
Liverpool was among the clubs interested in hiring Xabi Alonso this summer amid a spectacular season for the Spaniard at Bayer Leverkusen. But after a period of speculation, the Bundesliga leader's boss confirmed his intention to do at least another season in Germany before departing for a bigger job.
That means the timing is not right for Liverpool and other options including Rúben Amorim are under consideration. But according to Football Transfers, Alonso very nearly said yes to the Reds and put an end to the search.
READ MORE: Rúben. Amorim doesn't just play 3-4-3 and Luis Díaz and four more Liverpool stars could benefit
According to that report, even amid interest from Anfield, Bayern Munich and potentially Real Madrid, Alonso made the decision last minute to stay where he is. Supposedly, he was 'on the brink' of moving to Anfield before changing his mind during the March international break.
In all likelihood, when Alonso does leave Leverkusen, Liverpool will no longer be in the market for a new coach. Carlo Ancelotti could leave Real Madrid in 2025, however, so the timing might be right for him to head to another of his former sides.
Liverpool 'plotting double Sporting CP transfer raid' this summer
It was inevitable that as soon as Amorim became a likely contender for the Liverpool job that the Reds would be linked with Sporting CP players left, right and center. That process appears to have begun.
According to Football Insider, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are keen to sign both Gonçalo Inácio and Marcus Edwards for Liverpool in a double swoop. Inácio is a left-footed defender who has been linked with a switch to Anfield before.
That would make a lot of sense given the lack of that kind of profile within the current squad. Inácio could replace Joël Matip, whose contract is set to expire.
Edwards is an attacking midfielder who used to play for Spurs. He was very highly rated when he was coming through at Tottenham but he needed to move abroad to get regular game time.
Only playing once at senior level for Spurs, Edwards has six goals and eight assists in 40 appearances for Sporting so far this season. He has played more than 100 times for the Portuguese outfit in total.
