Xabi Alonso, recently appointed as Chelsea manager on a four-year contract, has reportedly identified Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz as a key transfer target. According to Football Insider, Chelsea have ‘set their sights’ on a move for the German attacking midfielder, with Alonso remaining a ‘huge fan’ of the player from their time together at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso and Wirtz enjoyed a highly successful period at Leverkusen, culminating in the club’s first Bundesliga title during the 2023-24 season. Wirtz was instrumental in their unbeaten campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists in 49 games, earning him the Bundesliga Player of the Year award. Their partnership proved remarkably effective, with Alonso fostering Wirtz’s development into one of Europe’s most promising attacking talents.
However, both Alonso and Wirtz have faced challenges since departing Leverkusen. Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid in January, while Wirtz has struggled to replicate his form following a £116million move to Liverpool last June. Despite an underwhelming debut season at Anfield, Chelsea are believed to be keen on reuniting Wirtz with Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
Interestingly, the report suggests Liverpool ‘would be open to letting Wirtz go’ for the right price, despite publicly maintaining their stance on the player. This potential willingness to sell comes after just one season for Wirtz at the club, giving him time to acclimate to the Premier League. However, Liverpool would likely demand a fee in the region of £100-115million to recoup their initial investment. It is suggested that Alonso views Wirtz as a potential ‘saving grace’ for his Premier League career, offering him a fresh start and a familiar tactical environment. While a reunion is desired by Alonso, the financial outlay and Chelsea’s other pressing needs – particularly in defence and attack – may make this transfer a difficult proposition.
