Report: Bayern Munich and David Alaba still far apart on contract negotiations

In its latest report, Sport Bild (behind Bild+ paywall) has revealed the details of the contract negotiations between Bayern Munich and David Alaba’s entourage, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal.

Bayern Munich has allegedly offered a base salary of €11 million and additionally, €6 million in possible bonuses to their defensive-chief. In his existing contract, the Austria international is reportedly earning up to €15 million per year. In comparison, his center-back partner Jerome Boateng, whose contract also expires in 2021, is pocketing €12 million.

However, Alaba’s agents are adamant about their initial wage demands of over €20 million a year. During the negotiations, Pini Zahavi’s agency brought up the record-smashing €80 million transfer-fee which was agreed between Bayern and Atletico Madrid to bring defensive stalwart Lucas Hernandez to Munich. In contrast, Alaba was signed by Bayern for a mere €0.15 million in 2008 (Transfermarkt). To support their claim on why he deserves to be amongst the highest-paid players at the club, Zahavi argues that unlike in Hernandez’s case, Bayern didn’t have to pay even a million Euros for his transfer.

Besides, both parties have ruled out the possibility of the player leaving for free. With his contract expiring next summer, Alaba could’ve received a massive signing bonus from his new club. Instead, the Austrian wants Bayern to sanction his sale in the ongoing transfer period, should he fail to reach a contract agreement with the club.

The last meeting between Alaba’s representatives took place on August 14, right before Bayern’s quarter-final clash against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Since then, no new date has been fixed for the next round of negotiations. As the transfer window closes in almost a month, Alaba wants his future sorted in the upcoming weeks.

An interesting factor that has made negotiations all the more difficult is Bayern’s reported failure to deliver on their promise of giving Alaba a chance in his favorite position. Before signing a contract extension in 2016, Alaba was promised a chance to play in midfield. However, Bayern continued to add midfielders (Corentin Tolisso, Renato Sanches, Leon Goretzka) and in 2019, permanently moved former right-back Joshua Kimmich to midfield.

BFW Analysis:

With Thiago Alcântara’s departure looking imminent, losing Alaba would be a massive blow for Bayern. Even though the Bavarians managed to acquire Germany’s much-coveted winger Leroy Sane, the sales of Thiago and Alaba in the same window would result in a loss of squad quality.

It’s not the first time BILD has reported this set of information about Alaba’s demands. But if true, let’s hope the two parties find a middle ground soon.