Prizing Xabi Alonso away from Leverkusen 'probably impossible' for Bayern: Uli Hoeness

Bayern Munich will find prizing Xabi Alonso away from Bundesliga champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen "probably impossible", according to honorary president Uli Hoeness.

Alonso, 42, is on course to secure a first Bundesliga title in the Leverkusen’s history this season, ending Bayern's vice-like grip that has seen them win 11 consecutive championships.

Leverkusen sit 10 points clear of second-placed Bayern with eight games remaining.

Alonso's team are unbeaten this season, riding a 38-game unbeaten run – a German record – with with their most recent win a 3-2 victory over Freiburg before the international break. They face Hoffenheim in the league on Saturday.

The Spaniard's achievements this season have not gone unnoticed, particularly by clubs he graced as a playmaking midfielder.

English club Liverpool are thought to be considering Alonso as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp when the German steps down at the end of the season.

Alonso is fondly remembered at Anfield, where he lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005 during his debut season with the Reds. He also won the FA Cup and Uefa Super Cup during his spell on Merseyside.

Alonso won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons at Bayern from 2014-17 and, should his Leverksuen side deny Germany's most decorated club a 12th successive title, will only increase calls for his return to Allianz Arena.

Hoeness, though, was highly pessimistic about anyone’s chances of luring Alonso away from Leverkusen this summer.

Hoeness told Das Erste: “We’ll have to see if we can do it this year.

“It will be difficult, if not probably impossible. [Alonso] is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind.

“Let’s