PSG have reportedly leapfrogged Real Madrid and others in the race to sign David Alaba from Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
According to a report by Sport, PSG have taken the lead in the race to sign David Alaba. The Austrian defender, who could leave Bayern Munich as a free agent next summer, is also a target for Real Madrid, among other clubs.
David Alaba joined Bayern Munich in 2008 when he was just 16 years old. Since then, the Austrian has climbed up the ladder at one of Europe’s most successful clubs and become an integral part of the first-team setup at the Allianz Arena in the last decade. The defender is extremely versatile. Predominantly a left-back, Alaba has played as a centre-back and a defensive midfielder as well.
Alaba is nearing his 400th appearance for Bayern and has a remarkable goalscoring record for a defender. A serial winner and one of the world’s best in his position, he currently is at crossroads regarding his future at Bayern Munich. With his contract ending next summer, it looks highly unlikely that Alaba would sign a renewal, owing to his wage demands. PSG and Real Madrid are among those interested.
PSG, although placed first in Ligue 1, have had several disappointing performances this season. Their defence has increasingly looked suspect, with the 3-2 loss to AS Monaco an example of that. Recently, sporting director Leonardo admitted that PSG may have made a mistake by not renewing Thiago Silva’s contract and letting him join Chelsea for free.
Their failure to replace Silva properly is haunting PSG, with Abdou Diallo failing to impress. To that end, Alaba is a viable target for PSG, where his experience could be crucial to guide a youthful squad, and he can play either as a left-back or centrally alongside the brilliant Presnelt Kimpembe. As for Real Madrid, they could be in the market for a centre-back.
Sergio Ramos faces an uncertain future at the club, quite similar to Alaba’s as he nears the end of his current contract. The Real Madrid captain has coincidentally been linked with a move to PSG, and is some way off agreeing a new deal with Los Blancos. Even if Ramos stays put, Real Madrid could do with a player of Alaba’s qualities considering Marcelo’s decline.
Real Madrid, though, like a lot of Alaba’s suitors, have been fended off by his wage demands, which could go up till an astounding €20 million per year in addition to a €20 million signing-on fee. But, PSG do seem to have the financial power to meet those demands. Therefore, it looks like Real Madrid and others might be fighting a losing battle, as per the report, with PSG now the favourites in his pursuit.
