Report: Manchester United hoping to join the race to sign David Alaba

It’s already clear that David Alaba will more than likely be leaving Bayern Munich this summer. In the latest edition of SportBild (via Sport Witness), it’s reported that Bayern’s front office as well as Alaba’s agent, Pini Zahavi already consider the possibility of the Austrian extending his contract at Bayern a “closed file.” The rationale from Bayern’s front office is that Alaba’s salary demands are too large and the only real option at this point would be to sell him during the summer transfer window.

In addition to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Chelsea, the report also suggests that Manchester United is now ready to enter the race to try and sign Alaba. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side has had continuous problems in defense and they’re certainly in the market for a top rate center back.

Interestingly enough, it was also revealed that Alaba wound up agreeing to join Bayern back in 2008 instead of Manchester United when he had even said himself that it was his dream to play for United. It was ultimately Bayern’s academy manager at the time, Werner Kern who convinced Alaba and his family that Bayern would be the perfect fit for him.

Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images

Whether or not it’s still a dream of Alaba’s to play for Manchester United or not remains to be seen, but the state of the club is substantially different that it was back in 2008, which is the year they won the Champions League title in Moscow against Chelsea by virtue of a penalty shootout. Arguably, to no discredit of United’s, he would certainly bolster a backline that’s currently lead by Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelöf, but negotiating against Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, and PSG will be no easy task for Solskjær and company.

There could be hope yet for United, though. As reported last week, interested clubs can officially begin speaking with Alaba on the first of January without having to first contact Bayern Munich. Financial difficulties at both Real and Barcelona, combined with Zahavi’s standing at Barcelona, could pave the way for Manchester United to potentially be one of the best suitors for the Austrian international:

As of January 1, interested clubs can speak with Alaba directly without contacting Bayern, since his contract expires this summer. Barcelona, Chelsea, and Real Madrid are some of the clubs that have shown the most interest in acquiring the Austrian’s services. However, both Barcelona and Real are going through difficult financial spells, which does not bode well in light of Alaba’s salary demands. Both clubs would more than likely have to offload talent to afford Alaba. Barca’s Frenkie De Jong has recently been linked with a potential move to Bayern for that very reason, Perhaps a swap deal of sorts could materialize, but at this points it’s only speculation.