Real Madrid to Chelsea: Ranking the teams who want to sign David Alaba

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 4 min read

David Alaba has confirmed that he will leave Bayern Munich in the summer, and Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in him.

Austria international Alaba is out of contract in June and will be a free agent. Bayern have already moved to replace him by signing Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig.

He is presently available to discuss terms with other clubs, although there has been no indication if he has done so.

Nevertheless, it is evident that many of Europe’s biggest clubs are eager to sign Alaba, who at 28 is in the prime of his career.

Here are how the four leading contenders are shaking up thus far.

4. Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp was reportedly looking at signing David Alaba as an additional option in the heart of his defence.

However, it has recently been reported that Alaba wants to move back into a midfield role, which he occupied earlier in his career.

Although the Reds are set to offload Gini Wijnaldum over the summer, when he too will be a free agent, there has been no suggestion that this is the role that Klopp would see Alaba filling at Anfield.

With that in mind, it is unlikely that a move to the defending Premier League champions is likely.

3. Chelsea

It has been mentioned in dispatches recently that new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is interested in Alaba.

Indeed, the pair might have worked together had a move from Bayern to Paris Saint-Germain worked out for the Austrian last summer. Tuchel, though, did not have any say over PSG’s transfer policy, so there is no particular link with the manager.

Do Chelsea need Alaba to enhance their midfield? Probably not. With Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount, who could move deeper to accommodate Kai Havertz in the No.10 role should he ever find his form, the Blues appear to be well equipped in that area of the field.

2. Paris Saint-Germain

PSG were interest in Alaba last summer and have reportedly held talks with the Ligue 1 side over a potential summer switch.

The central midfield role is something of a problem position for PSG, with Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera having struggled to impose themselves beside Marco Verratti. Alaba would, therefore, offer the type of defensive option that they crave.

PSG, though, do not consider themselves favourites in this race.

1. Real Madrid

For a long period, Real Madrid have been touted as strong favourites to sign Alaba. Indeed, it was even considered to be a done deal in the Spanish media a matter of weeks ago.

Although the race remains on, Los Blancos remain out in front by a considerable margin.

Could Alaba slot into Madrid’s midfield? One would imagine he could dovetail nicely with Toni Kroos, although he would have to fight past Casemiro and also potentially Luka Modric, whose contract renewal seems to be heading in a positive direction.

Perhaps, however, if Madrid were eyeing Alaba as a replacement for Sergio Ramos in the heart of the defence, the deal might have gone off the rails.