Report: Real Madrid takes lead in race for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba

Per a report from The Athletic, Real Madrid is currently sitting atop the leaderboard among those clubs competing for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.

Alaba, who no longer has an offer from the Bavarians on the table, is no doubt looking closely at Real Madrid, a club he had been linked with in the past. Because Alaba would be a free transfer next summer, Los Blancos can afford to pay the lofty salary demands of the Austrian star:

The Athletic understands that Real Madrid lead the way in pursuit of his signature. Alaba is reported to have turned down a £200,000 per week contract offer from Bayern and the European champions would like to keep the player who has been an integral part of the team since 2011. Real, however, are ready to provide the kind of salary the Austria international is demanding and a departure is becoming more likely.

Real are hamstrung on paying transfer fees having been hit hard by the financial impact of the pandemic, but would be able to facilitate the signing of Alaba on a free once his contract expires at the end of this season.

The Athletic also confirmed that Manchester United was no longer in the running for Alaba.

A different reporter from The Athletic, David Ornstein, also touched on Alaba’s status by saying that Alaba’s “long-term preference was Spain”, but also indicated that other clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool could be contenders. Ornstein, however, does not expect Chelsea to be in the mix.