Barcelona reportedly have a verbal pact to sign David Alaba, also a target for bitter rivals Real Madrid, on a Bosman deal this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona seem to have moved quickly in pursuit of David Alaba. The Blaugrana have reached a verbal agreement with the representatives of the Bayern Munich superstar, who is also a target for Real Madrid, to seal a Bosman move in the summer transfer window, subject to a wage agreement.
Alaba has enjoyed one of the most illustrious club football careers in the history of the game, having been a vital cog in one of the most successive decades at Bayern Munich. In all, he has won 26 trophies while at the Allianz Arena, having been a key figure as a left-back, centre-back and even in midfield.
With 419 appearances under his belt at Bayern, including 33 goals and 50 assists, it suffices to say that the 28-year-old is an all-time great for the Bundesliga champions. However, 2020/21 will be his final season with Die Roten, having failed to reach an agreement over a renewal. His availability as a free agent has alerted several big-name clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Real Madrid hold a long-standing interest in Alaba and for a while, it has been mooted that they have an agreement to secure his services in the summer. The Merengues‘ interest in well founded as well, seeing as both Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have question marks being raised over their futures at the club.
Alaba could, therefore, be an option to play at the heart of the Real Madrid defence while providing cover at left-back, considering Marcelo is being touted for a summer exit as well. However, the entry of Barcelona has complicated matters for Real Madrid.
With Joan Laporta having been elected as the new Barcelona president, the Blaugrana can finally set about laying down an action plan for the summer transfer window. To that end, Alaba has emerged as a priority target for Barcelona, who could have a use for the 28-year-old as a centre-back or on the left side of the defence.
Initial reports had suggested that Laporta has been discussing a summer move with Pini Zahavi and Fali Ramadani. The newly-elected Barcelona president, though, seems to have moved quickly to steal a march on Real Madrid, who, as per Mundo Deportivo, do not seem to have an agreement with Alaba.
The report claims that Barcelona now have a verbal agreement with Alaba and his representatives, and if they can meet his wage demands, a summer switch to Camp Nou will beckon him. Having said that, it will be interesting to see if their fragile economic conditions permit them to do so, or if Real Madrid swoop ahead in the race for the Bayern Munich star once again.