After 13-year association with Bayern Munich, Alaba is all set to move to Real Madrid in the coming transfer window. The Austrian international will move to Spain as a free agent and is said to have agreed on a 5-year-deal.
Real Madrid won the signature of the Austrian after competing with multiple clubs. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United were all interested to bring the versatile player to their team.
He has won multiple trophies with the German giants and is a vital part of the current team. However, over the last few seasons, Alaba has been hoping for a move away from Germany. He had repeatedly rejected a contract renewal as he runs downs his current contract that ends this summer.
LONG TIME COMING
Alaba joined Bayern Munich from Austria in 2008. He played in the Under-17 and Under-19 team for Bayern and soon found his place in the reserve team. Alaba progressed to the main team from there and have never looked back. He has played more than 400 games for Bayern.
But in the recent seasons, there were regular tensions between the Bayern hierarchy and Alaba. Having not extended his contract made it difficult for Bayern as they will lose such a great player for free.
The clubs’ decision to include him in a swap deal with Manchester City for Leroy Sane has worsened the situation. Alaba considered it to be disrespect from Bayern and felt as if it was a slap on his face.
Signing Alaba on a free is a steal for Madrid
For Los Blancos, the signing of Alaba offers excellent value to the club. The Austrian is a very versatile player who can play multiple roles. He can slot in at left-back and both the center-back roles along with the central midfield position.
With the contract situation of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane unclear and the midfield options aging, signing Alaba can fix multiple issues for Los Blancos.
While Alaba has made it clear in the past that he wants to play more in his preferred midfield role, it is still not clear where he will fit in with Zinedine Zidane’s plans. The new deal agreed is reported to earn Alaba £400k per week. The move is said to be made official in the coming weeks by the club.
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