Tottenham are continuing their search for a new manager and have come across former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard has overseen a positive season in Germany having only taken over in October.
He has just over 12 months left on his contract but is highly rated by Tottenham after his work, winning 17 of his 31 matches in charge, scoring 65 goals and losing just seven. Leverkusen have shot up the table and are 14 games unbeaten.
It was an initially rocky start for the 41-year-old, who came from managing Real Sociedad's B side in Spain after previous experience with Real Madrid's youth sides under his belt. Alonso only won one of his first seven matches but now has his team sixth in the league and competing for a top four place.
READ MORE: Daniel Levy begins next Tottenham manager talks as Spurs hit reset button with drastic overhaul
Here, football.london has the latest on his potential appointment at Tottenham.
Silence broken
Xabi Alonso has broken his silence on a potential switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham or Real Madrid this summer. He told a press conference: "I've been in football for many years, rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve. That's why my head is 100% here for the last few months. And my head is also 100% here for next season."
Levy talks
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is now set to speak to those potential managerial appointments already in jobs after the club drew up its shortlist. It remains to be seen whether Alonso is amongst those, but reports have claimed that the Spaniard is one of the favourites.
Favourite decided
Alonso became the new bookmakers' favourite to takeover at Tottenham, moving ahead of Julian Nagelsmann.
Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: "Punters have taken a real liking to Xabi Alonso joining Tottenham and the former Spain star is the new 9/4 favourite to be Spurs manager at the start of the season having previously been a 20/1 outsider.
"Julian Nagelsmann had been the 5/2 market leader but has been relegated to the 3/1 second favourite following a flurry of bets on Alonso to take over at Tottenham."
Number one choice
Alonso has emerged as the front-runner to takeover in north London despite still being contracted to Bayer Leverkusen. The German side are in the semi-final of the Europa League and are on the cusp of qualifying for the Champions League next season too.
According to De Telegraaf, the Spaniard has the advantage over Arne Slot, who is in charge of Feyenoord. It is also said that Nagelsmann has questions over the now vacant sporting director role after Fabio Paratici's resignation.
Also in the race
Vincent Kompany is still believed to be on the shortlist for the job after leading Burnley to promotion straight back into the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Belgian has been strongly linked with taking over from interim manager Ryan Mason.
Reports from The Telegraph indicate that Kompany is in the hunt as well as the other candidates for the role.
READ NEXT:
Tottenham's nine attackers' summer transfer fates revealed as Kane offered deal and Danjuma wait
Julian Nagelsmann has one clear demand of Daniel Levy to become Tottenham's next manager
Tottenham's nine midfielders' summer transfer fates revealed as four exit and Sarr decision made
Vincent Kompany to Tottenham latest: Burnley stance, Chelsea short list, Daniel Levy talks
Transfer news LIVE: All the latest news and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham
