Exclusive: Chelsea set sights on Liverpool player signed for huge fee last year

Xabi Alonso is a ‘huge’ fan of Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and is keen for Chelsea to sign him this summer in a sensational move, sources have told Football Insider.

The Blues hold a strong interest in the 23-year-old just one year after the Merseyside giants signed him from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £116million.

Wirtz has failed to live up to that price tag this season, ultimately ending the campaign with consecutive appearances off the bench.

Sources say Liverpool would be open to letting Wirtz go for the right deal even though they would publicly deny that.

Alonso oversaw the German’s transition to the next level in the 2023-24 season at Leverkusen, ultimately developing him into one of the most exciting talents in Europe.

The Spaniard was appointed as Chelsea manager earlier this month and will be tasked with an overhaul at Stamford Bridge, after a failure to qualify for any level of European football.

Get the inside track on the Stamford Bridge dugout with updates on shortlisted candidates and BlueCo technical strategy.

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last week that Chelsea must give their full backing to Alonso this summer.

The Spaniard arrives with a strong reputation, despite a disappointing stint with Real Madrid earlier this season.

The 44-year-old led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga season in the 2023-24 campaign, in which they won the double and only lost their first game of the season in the Europa League final.

Wirtz had only returned from an ACL injury in the season prior but found new heights under Alonso, scoring 18 goals and providing 19 assists in a staggering campaign.

He would score 16 and provide 14 in the 2024-25 season, ultimately convincing Liverpool and Arne Slot to part ways with £116m as they attempted to build on a Premier League-winning squad.

The midfielder could now be set to leave after just a season at Anfield, however, after failing to adapt to the English game.

Wirtz did not score his first Premier League goal until the end of December, and has constantly looked well off the pace.

Anfield ERUPTS as Florian Wirtz scores his first Premier League goal for Liverpool! 💥 pic.twitter.com/rnm3UMyyxC

Alonso’s arrival at Chelsea could be the saving grace for his future in the English top flight, but the Blues will be well aware that the costs behind such a deal will be significant.

After a dismal Liverpool season, Slot is expected to come under huge pressure in the coming months.

The Dutchman has made enemies within the fanbase and his own squad, with there being some surprise that the Reds have not already cut ties with him.

There had, in fact, been frequent links to former player Alonso, who surely would have been open to taking the job had a different decision been made.

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Manager of the Men’s Team.

The Spaniard will begin his role on July 1, 2026, having agreed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool appear to be sticking with Slot, although a decision to relieve him of his duties could still be made and would undoubtedly tie into the future of Wirtz.

The midfielder may well push for an exit if the 47-year-old stays on, while the arrival of a new manager could convince him to stick to the task at Anfield.

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