Manchester United want to hijack David Alaba’s proposed move to Real Madrid.
The Bayern Munich ace has decided to leave the German champions after failing to agree on a new deal and is wanted by Zinedine Zidane’s men.
But United have now entered the race to sign the Austrian international and are confident of securing a deal in next month’s transfer window.
It is understood United bosses have spoken to Alaba’s representatives about him going to Old Trafford on a free transfer next summer.
Alaba is free to speak to other clubs from January 1 and Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has accepted the defender will leave.
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Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on Alaba, but United are willing to offer him a £12m-a-year deal in a bid to tempt him to Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still keen to strengthen his defence to ease the growing burden on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – and knows Alaba’s versatility and experience is a key strength to his game.
But Solskjaer will be forced to off-load the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Diogo Dalot to make way for Alaba.
Rummenigge has accepted defeat in Bayern’s attempts to keep Alaba and he said: “We had a lot of conversations, but we wanted answers from him by the end of October.
‘This didn’t happen and I don’t know if we’ll return to the negotiations. What I want to be clear about is that our offer showed exactly how much we value him, but he didn’t accept it.”
Since joining Bayern in 2010 Alaba has helped them win two Champions League titles and nine Bundesliga crowns.