Chelsea make shock transfer decision that will help seal Xabi Alonso deal

Chelsea are making progress in their attempts to convince Xabi Alonso to become their next manager (Credits: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Chelsea are ready to make a major concession and change the club’s transfer strategy in an attempt to convince Xabi Alonso to become their new manager.

The Blues are on the lookout for Liam Rosenior ’s replacement after Enzo Maresca ’s successor was sacked last month following a dismal 106-day spell at the helm.

Chelsea have considered the likes of Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva as potential alternatives with proven Premier League pedigree one of the key attributes they are said to be looking for in their next boss.

Alonso, however, has emerged as the frontrunner and, according to the Telegraph , unlike many of his predecessors who have worked under the Clearlake regime, the former Real Madrid boss will have a key input on transfers.

A focus on recruiting young, up and coming talents has proven to be more miss than hit over the course of the last few years and Alonso is likely to request players with more experience if he is to avoid going the same way as the likes of Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.

While he is unlikely to have a decisive say, his views on potential targets will hold significant weight and, as such, talks are likely to progress rapidly following Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

‘Things should move quickly after the final,’ a source is quoted as saying .

Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid earlier this season (Picture: Getty)

‘Chelsea ideally want an agreement with somebody within days, whether that be a few days or 10 days. But it shouldn’t be a long process now.’

Chelsea are willing to overlook Alonso’s failed spell at Real and believe his accomplishments at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won a domestic double and got to a Europa League final, are a more accurate reflection of his potential.

Alonso’s arrival at Stamford Bridge will come as a shock to those who believe he was destined to make an emotional return to Liverpool.

The Reds, however, have given little indication they are ready to part company with Arne Slot despite an abysmal title defence which hit another low last night following a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa.

Liverpool could have sealed their place in next season’s Champions League but it was Villa who got over the line with a handsome victory which provided the perfect send-off for Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Liverpool look set to keep faith with Arne Slot (Picture: Getty)

Slot accepted supporters might not find reason to be optimistic, but he is expecting a better campaign next time around.

‘I can understand at this moment of time that they don’t have a lot of confidence or a lot of feeling that things can be much better next season,’ Slot said.

‘But I think then they are underestimating what a window can do, what a new start can do, and I think we know quite well what to improve.

‘I think one of the things we have to improve is also very, very, very obvious, and I would have preferred not to talk about it here, but you’re actually almost forcing me to.