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Elsewhere, Xavi has said since January he will leave Barcelona, though Spanish reports suggest he might change his mind.

Both Liverpool and Bayern have shown interest in Xabi Alonso, who has had stints with both teams and is currently impressing as Bayer Leverkusen's boss.

German sources hint that the Bundesliga champion is leading the race for him.

READ MORE: Liverpool 'has Plan B if Xabi Alonso snubs three-year deal' as transfer target makes 'promise'

READ MORE: Arsenal could hand Liverpool a Premier League title advantage that Jürgen Klopp would love

The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool is prepared to 'do battle with Bayern as both appear to have made Alonso their number one candidate'.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, recently appointed as the new CEO of football and sporting director, are spearheading the search; Hughes does not formally join from Bournemouth until the end of the season, but it has been suggested that there is an understanding in place that allows him to assist on the search for Klopp's heir.

Liverpool also has its eyes on Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who Hughes attempted to recruit to Bournemouth two years ago.

Among Ibanez's clients are current Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and he shares a strong relationship with Hughes after he brokered the deal for Iraola to join the Cherries last summer.

"It is clear to everyone that Jürgen will leave a legacy to build upon and in Richard we have the right person to make the key decisions and offer the leadership to take us forward into a bright future," Edwards told club media following Hughes' appointment.

"As one very successful chapter will come to a close for Liverpool in the summer, the objective of everyone here is for another one to begin and with Richard I am confident we have the right person in position for us to achieve this aim."

Liverpool.com says: It's a delicate balance for Liverpool and others to strike.

Xabi Alonso is just about the last man who wants any distractions at the business end of this season, as he chases an unprecedented unbeaten season with Bayer Leverkusen across multiple competitions.

At the same time, Liverpool cannot afford to be caught napping, and Bayern Munich has a history of proactively hoovering up Bundesliga talent.

On the whole, with the top flight now more or less wrapped up for Leverkusen, perhaps it is almost time to step up the chase.

Moreover, with Edwards and now Hughes in place, Liverpool can present a proper structure to Alonso.
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