Davies CLOSER THAN EVER to Man Utd after latest contract twist

Tom Weber

Updated: 17 Jan 2025 16:22 GMT
4 min read

Alphonso Davies, Bayern, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Alphonso Davies' contract talks with Bayern Munich have hit another impasse, and this may be better news for Manchester United than Real Madrid.

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One of the most drawn-out sagas in recent memory has taken another twist. Bayern Munich have been locked in talks over a contract extension for Davies for over a year and there is still no end in sight.

The Canadian is out of contract in the summer and Real Madrid have been on his trail at least since October 2023. The idea of joining the reigning European champions is a tantalising one, but that didn't stop Davies from opening the door to a Bayern extension in recent months.

Ahead of last summer, it appeared as though his departure was all but set in stone, but the appointment of Vincent Kompany and the early success under him changed everything.

Davies began loving life at Bayern again and seriously considered extending his stay, especially following the news that Bayern were simultaneously making progress in talks with his best friend Jamal Musiala.

According to Sky Germany, the futures of Davies and Musiala are inextricably linked, but this is now proving to be a problem.

Davies extension stalling again

Towards the end of 2024, German media began reporting that Bayern and Davies were close to reaching a compromise in talks over an extension, but after a new round of discussions, the opposite is now the case and the club are seriously considering walking away from the deal.

It is claimed that Davies' agent Nick Househ - not the player himself - has tried to change the conditions of the contract and started demanding a significantly higher financial package, which is more in line with the one Bayern have proposed to Musiala.

Househ is said to be requesting in excess of €20 million per year and an enormous signing-on fee. His new demands allegedly prompted an angry reaction from Bayern director Max Eberl, who made it in no uncertain terms clear that they won't pay that.

Earlier on Friday, Eberl played coy when quizzed about the situation but nevertheless couldn't hide a hint of frustration when he admitted that he is not a very patient person.

The extension talks are not entirely dead in the water just yet, but they have certainly reached a new impasse in a situation that is being followed by clubs other than Real Madrid. Indeed, according to Fabrizio Romano, Davies is not Los Blancos' priority despite their long-standing interest.

Their No.1 target remains Trent Alexander-Arnold and there is an acceptance that signing both will prove difficult due to the financial outlay required but also due to the simple fact that both are very attack-minded full-backs and could upset the balance of the team.

Romano added that there are also 'opportunities' for Davies in the Premier League, likely referring to Man Utd's widely-known interest. The news of the latest breakdown in talks will be music to the ears of INEOS even if the club will struggle to match Davies' - or Househ's - massive financial demands.