FC Barcelona pushing into race for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba

Per a report from AS (as captured by Bild), FC Barcelona could be making a late push to join Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in chasing Bayern Munich free agent defender David Alaba:

Real Madrid was previously considered the top favorite, but according to SPORT BILD information, the offer from Real has not been suitable so far. Alaba is said to want a five-year contract and to earn around 20 million euros gross per year. Paris boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi (47) is also said to have met with the Alaba side and presented a PSG offer.

Now Barcelona is stepping on the gas in the fight for the Bayern star. As reported by the Spanish “As”, Joan Laporta (58) met with Alaba advisor Pini Zahavi (77) in Barcelona last week and made the “Blaugrana” palatable to him. Salary requirements are also reportedly not a problem, despite the club’s financial difficulties. Laporta is said to have asked to wait until he is president again and can make a concrete offer.

FC Barcelona has always been rumored to be a favored destination for Alaba, so this is likely good news for the Austrian. If Pini Zahavi wanted to create a bidding war, he has three powerful clubs in line to potentially meet Alaba’s high wage demands.

As far as Alaba preference for a new home goes, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City might have to ramp up their monetary efforts for the 28-year-old:

The fact is: Alaba would prefer to play in Spain.