Manchester City have entered the race for Bayern Munich’s David Alaba and could have an ace up his sleeve to secure his signature.
Alaba is out of contract at the Allianz Arena in the summer and is yet to sign an extension to his deal with the German champions.
Reports over the last few weeks have indicated that both parties now believe they won’t reach an agreement either, with talks very much on the backburner.
That leaves Alaba free to negotiate with clubs around Europe come January, with the biggest sides all linked with making a move.
Manchester City are one of those to have been named among his suitors, particularly after they suggested a swap deal involving Leroy Sané in the summer.
Fussball Transfers now say they are very much in the mix to get the 28-year-old defender but are battling Real Madrid for him.
The Spanish side are his favourite option, something FT confirm, but City and Paris Saint Germain are also in the mix.
Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the player after working with him at Bayern, where the pair ‘had a good relationship’.
Thus, Manchester City are now ‘thinking about’ making a move for him, with the Spanish boss very much acting as ‘one of Alaba’s sponsors’.
They have a ‘bargaining chip’ up their sleeve too, with it claimed they are willing to offer Alaba a place in midfield, knowing that he has long wanted to play there and that could ‘lure’ him to the club.
Like City, Alaba’s stance about a move has also changed.
He felt underappreciated when City offered a swap deal in the summer, but he is now ‘more open’ to a reunion with Guardiola, although his preferred move would be to Real Madrid.
Whether they can offer one remains to be seen, but it seems Manchester City are very much in the mix if they don’t.
