Bayern Munich defender David Alaba linked with Barcelona
Barcelona has reportedly made Bayern Munich defender David Alaba as their primer summer transfer target.
Bayern Munich has bid farewell to numerous veteran players this summer. The Bundesliga champions released Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, and Rafinha, while James Rodriguez returned to Real Madrid after his two-year loan spell came to an end. Mats Hummels also sealed a move back to Borussia Dortmund at the end of June.
There are some players in Kovac’s starting lineup that will play almost every game next season. David Alaba is one of these few players in the squad that are undroppable. Alaba’s consistent performances for Bayern have made him one of the prime transfer targets for Barcelona.
According to ESPN, Barcelona is eager to sign Alaba from Bayern this summer. The La Liga champions want to sign a left-back to provide strong competition to Jordi Alba. This report also confirms that Alaba is also keen on this transfer.
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Alaba raised eyebrows in Bavaria last summer by admitting that he would be open to a new challenge. The 27-year-old full-back was heavily linked with Real Madrid last summer. Bayern were not even interested in entertaining offers for the Austria international. Barcelona is also likely to get the same answer this summer if the Spanish club ends up making a bid for Alaba.
Barcelona will have a better chance of signing Alaba in 2020. The Bundesliga champions should be opening contract talks with Alaba this season as his current contract is set to expire in 2021. If Bayern fails to extend his contract before next summer, then Alaba might get a chance to experience a new adventure.
The Austrian full-back remains a key player for the German champions. He will become an even more important player in the dressing room this season due to the departures of numerous senior players. Moreover, he has just entered the prime years of his career, so it is important for Die Roten to hand him a long term deal before next summer.
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Die Roten might sell some more players before the end of the summer transfer window. Jerome Boateng has already been advised to find a new club, but there have been no concrete offers for the German defender. Renato Sanches is another player that could leave even though Kovac wants him to stay. The German champions are also looking to make at least two more additions to the squad before the end of the transfer window.