Cash-strapped Barcelona ‘pulled out of talks to sign Bayern Munich’s David Alaba on a FREE transfer’ after realising they couldn’t afford him… with Real Madrid leading the chase after ‘offering defender a four-year deal worth nearly £9m a season’
- Defender David Alaba is set to leave Bayern Munich after 13 years at the club
- He declined a £200,000-per week contract and has interest from various clubs
- Real Madrid are his likely destination as Barcelona have pulled out of the race
- The Catalans have withdrawn as they are unable to meet the salary demands
- Madrid tabled an offer including a lucrative four-year deal worth just over £8.9m
Real Madrid are favourites to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer as Barcelona have pulled out of the transfer race due to financial instability.
The Catalans have withdrawn from the race as they are unable to meet the player’s salary demands amid the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, Real Madrid maintain their position as the frontrunners to land the Austrian’s signature – having offered the defender a four-year deal worth nearly £9m a season.
David Alaba (above) is set to leave Bundesliga giants, Bayern Munich, after 13 years at the club
As it stands, Alaba is due to be a free agent when his contract with Bayern Munich runs down at the end of June.
Alaba was given permission by Champions League holders Bayern to discuss moves with other clubs after he rejected their £200,000-a-week contract extension.
La Liga rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona, were going head-to-head to sign the 28-year-old, before the Catalans pulled out of the race.
Alaba has declined a £200,000-per week contract extension at the Bundesliga giants
Real Madrid are his likely destination as Barcelona have pulled out of the transfer race
According to Marca, Alaba’s agent Pini Zhavi was in talks with Barca over a possible deal, but once the club learned of the defender’s financial demands they opted out.
Having seen their income drop by £231million, it is believed Barcelona will focus their attention on signing Manchester City’s Eric Garcia instead.
As a result, Real Madrid are said to be closing in.
Alaba rose from Munich’s Under-17 squad, playing a crucial role in the side since 2011 – bagging nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League titles.
Alaba has been in high demand across Europe due to his versatility in between defence and midfield.
Alaba has been a serial winner at Bayern, bagging nine Bundesliga titles in a decade there
Manchester United have pulled-back from a move, with the club unable to afford his demands
The Austrian’s ability to play at left-back or in the centre of defence has helped convince Madrid to vie for his signature.
There is a belief he will be able to challenge Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos. Madrid even expect him to step in permanently for Ramos when he leaves.
Manchester United had also declared their interest in Alaba, but found themselves in a similar position to Barcelona, having been priced out of a move.
