UPDATE: Alaba’s father says no to Real Madrid move
After Marca dropped a bombshell claiming that Bayern Munich defender David Alaba had signed a contract agreement with Real Madrid, the player’s father has come out and denied the reports.
George Alaba spoke to a number of media outlets saying that no contract had been signed with anyone yet and that a number of clubs were still interested. What this means for the whole saga is still unclear — you can assume that Madrid are still the front-runners.
Update #Alaba: Minutes ago his father George told @SPORT1: "No decision has been made yet and David hasn't signed with Real either. Besides Real, there are other clubs that are interested in him.” #FCBayern #HalaMadrid
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 19, 2021
❗️Update #Alaba: His father George @SPORT1: "What still counts for David is that he wants to concentrate fully on #FCBayern and on his performances." Why #Barca are still in the race? Zahavi wants to see whether his friend Laporta is elected president on 24th January. #HalaMadrid
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 19, 2021
Update @David_Alaba: @realmadrid are still favorites. but also Liverpool @LFC are trying to get the player @BILD_Sport
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) January 19, 2021
read also:Real Madrid ready for Alaba arrival
He also confirms that Alaba has not yet signed a contract with Real, or passed his medical as Marca had claimed. Other German journalists are reporting the same.
However, it seems like the move to Madrid is closer than ever, and won’t be made public until after the season is over. After all, Bayern are adamant that no one major will leave the club in January — and as a starting defender, Alaba still counts as a major player.
Real also have plenty of incentive to keep the news from going public, since they’re trying to negotiate a new deal with Sergio Ramos.
Ramos reportedly wants a contract with the same salary that he currently earns, while Florentino Perez is offering a 10% reduction in wages.
Announcing an expensive new signing like Alaba (even on a free) might put those negotiations in jeopardy, or cause discontent within the squad on behalf of their captain.
Is there enough time for another club to dive into the mix? Maybe, if the contract really hasn’t been signed yet.
But Marca have been reporting a done deal with Madrid for some time now, and Alaba’s always preferred a move to Spain — seeing another club gazump this transfer is rather difficult. Needless to say, his chances of staying at Bayern Munich are nil at the moment.