David Alaba transfer news: Real Madrid and PSG vie for Bayern star

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 22:10 BST
• 4 min read

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba continues to be a major talking point in the run up to the January transfer window.

Although the Austria international is not expected to depart the Bavarians in the winter, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he will sign a new contract with the club.

Clubs can begin to talk to him from January 1 and he will be available on a free transfer from June 30.

David Alaba contract negotiations: The latest

• Talks broke down over a contract in November
• Door open for the player to return to the table
• Real Madrid and PSG circling with an eye on a free transfer

At present, there is officially no offer on the table of a new deal for David Alaba at Bayern Munich.

Speaking earlier this month, club president Herbert Hainer confirmed that there has been a breakdown in talks.

“We have a new situation since this weekend,” Hainer told Blickpunkt Sport. “We submitted an offer to David and his advisor some time ago that we thought was very good.

“During the last meeting we had, we said we wanted clarity by the end of October. We did not hear anything until yesterday and we contacted his advisor.

David Alaba snapshot:

“The answer was that the offer was still unsatisfactory, and we should think about it again. We then decided to take the offer completely off the table. This means there is no longer an offer.”

Officially, this remains the current state of play.

Chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge, however, has indicated that Bayern have not closed the door to fresh negotiations with the 28-year-old. They are unlikely, however, to meet Alaba’s financial demands.

Will David Alaba sign for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid’s interest in David Alaba is being reported in the Germany and Spanish media. Given his versatility and his quality, it is little surprise to see the Bernabeu side chase a player of his calibre.

Left-sided centre-back Raphael Varane has not been at his best this season and veteran defender Sergio Ramos has not signed a new deal. The Spaniard is, however, expected to commit his future to the club imminently.

Los Blancos will be especially interested given that he is available on a free transfer. While the coronavirus pandemic has not hit them as hard as some clubs, such as Barcelona, their aim is to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain, which is likely to push their finances to the limits.

PSG, meanwhile, are seeking to build a team capable of winning the Champions League. It is necessary if Mbappe is to remain at the club. As such, Alaba is firmly on their radar, too.

If they are to challenge at such a level, it is widely considered that the heart of their defence needs upgraded. Alaba would be a strong solution in that area or at left-back, where Juan Bernat is a long-term absentee.

Kicker reports that the French side hold the upper hand in negotiations because of their ability to pay a greater wage. Madrid-centric paper Marca counters that by claiming Alaba is keener on moving to Spain.

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Elsewhere, Liverpool have regularly been linked with the 28-year-old. Struck by injuries at centre-back to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, it is logical Alaba’s name has been associated with the Anfield club.

The Reds, though, seem to prefer RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano. At 22 years old, he represents a long-term solution.

Barcelona and Inter have also been linked with him, but his wage demands put him out of reach.

What next?

Assuming that there is no dramatic U-turn in David Alaba’s desire to stay with Bayern, a free for all over the defender will begin on January 1.

Real Madrid and PSG seem to be the clubs leading the way for his signature presently.

Meanwhile, the player continues to feature regularly for FCB.