:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69356287/1320131698.0.jpg)
Update 12:35PM: Alaba officially signs deal with Real Madrid
Real Madrid has formally announced the signing of Bayern Munich legend David Alaba. If you want to get a gauge on how much he will be paid in Spain, check out the original story below.
Official Announcement: Alaba.#RealMadrid | #WelcomeAlaba
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 28, 2021
To the dismay of many Bayern Munich fans, David Alaba’s contract wasn’t renewed at the club. Throughout contract negotiations between the centre half and Bayern bosses, much was reported about Alaba’s extraordinary salary demands being the key difference point between parties. Now, it appears that this reporting carried large fragments of truth.
According to Florian Plettenberg as well as Bild and Sky journalists, Alaba will be paid €12.5M net annually.
Update #Alaba (due to many inquiries): Contract until 2026, announcement from @realmadrid in a few hours. Salary €12.5m net/year (also according to @altobelli13 & @Sky_MaxB). But bonuses on top! @SPORT1
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 28, 2021
Frankly — if true — this is far too much for even a player of Alaba’s quality. For perspective, Robert Lewandowski allegedly has a salary of around €20M gross per season. Alaba’s apparent contract even exceeds this sum by around €5M (€25M gross). It is completely ludicrous.
With contracts handed out like this, it is no wonder the precarious financial position that clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona find themselves in. Furthermore, it is a testament of the long term considered nature that has been the hallmark of Bayern’s front office for many years, that Bayern refused to break their wage structure, even for a club legend. Simply put, as Bayern fans, we are lucky to have such calm leadership which will never put the club’s financial future into doubt in order to chase short term success.