Bayern Munich’s David Alaba is the subject of conflicting reports involving FC Barcelona

Mundo Deportivo has come out with somewhat surprising reports that there is a mutual interest between FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba. Belonging on Barcelona’s radar for a long time, Andoni Zubizarreta was interested in the Austrian favorite back in 2012 but instead opted for Jordi Alba. Now, Alaba is a Barcelona target yet again as they look to bring competition for Alba.

Sport, however, issued its own report that rules out a move for Alaba to Barcelona, stating that Barcelona themselves are not interested. Because of the Catalan club deeming the negotiations as impossible, they are instead looking into Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro.

It s difficult to ascertain which report is true at this stage, but Alba is the only left-back in Ernesto Valverde’s squad, and since the end of last year, Valverde has repeatedly requested an alternate for Alba. Hence, it is the position Barcelona wants to strengthen the most and David Alaba is their No. 1 target.

Barcelona’s long-term interest for Alaba and the fact that he can play center-back makes him a lucrative option for the Catalan club who just missed out on Matthijs de Ligt. Other options are Real Betis’s youngster Junior Firpo as well as a non-revealed third candidate who plays in the Bundesliga (could very well be Guerreiro).

What is even more surprising is that apparently, David Alaba offered himself to Barca through his agents several weeks back per Mundo Deportivo. In 2012, Bayern refused to listen to any offers for their home-grown hero. The difference now is that David Alaba’s contract ends in June 2021. The fact that Alaba himself has allegedly shown open to a switch from Allianz Arena to Camp Nou brings more weight to the rumor.

BFW Analysis

As I’ve mentioned before this summer, take every rumor with a bit of salt. Even if this story is true, I doubt Bayern would sell Alaba this summer. The squad is already too thin and if Alaba leaves that already adds to one more player Bayern has to sign this summer. Most likely, no bid has been made as of yet, and there’s a chance Bayern won’t have enough time to sign a replacement if Alaba was to be solved, leaving them with no natural left-backs.

On the other hand, there’s a chance that this progress has been long in the making. Mundo Deportivo wrote that Barcelona had made contacts with Alaba since 2012, either through a second or third party.

Nothing or anything could happen, this is Silly Season after all.