Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has verbally agreed a five-year contract with Real Madrid from next season, according to a report.
Alaba’s future had become the subject of speculation in the early stages of the current campaign. Indeed, he came into 2020/21 having one year left on his deal. However, he made waves in February by announcing his intentions to leave the German champions and seek a new challenge.
Since then, transfer links with several clubs across Europe have emerged.
He will be a free agent this summer, meaning clubs will only have to pay his wages, which will nevertheless prove costly.
However, the lack of a sizeable transfer fee for the centre-back – who has proved an immense capture for Bayern – has attracted much attention.
Madrid and Barcelona have both had links with Alaba, as have Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool.
According to Sky Germany reporter Max Bielefeld, though, Alaba has chosen to move to the Spanish capital.
As such, he has agreed a five-year contract with Madrid taking him through to the summer of 2026.
While the agreement is only verbal for now, he will put pen to paper in the next few weeks.
What’s more, the other clubs have now lost out on the chance to land the serial title winner.
Alaba entered Bayern’s first team in 2011 after a loan at Hoffenheim and has proved a stoic figure in the side which has picked up countless major honours in the last decade.
The Austria international has won two Champions Leagues, nine Bundesliga titles and six German Cups – among other silverware.
Furthermore, he has made 427 appearances for Bayern, chipping in with 33 goals and 53 assists. He remains only 28 years old, meaning he has several years left at the top level if he so wishes.
As for Chelsea’s hunt for a defender, reports claim that they are also keen on Alaba’s Bayern team-mate Niklas Sule.
Tuchel admits Chelsea lucky not to lose
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s current defence came in for a tough test in Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
The sides produced a 0-0 draw, but the Seagulls could easily have won, with Danny Welbeck hitting the post.
Speaking after the game, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel insisted that his players did not feel distracted by the collapse of plans for a European Super League.
READ MORE: Tuchel trots out excuses and admits Chelsea were ‘lucky’ not to lose
