Austrian defender David Alaba has contributed a few metres of trophies to both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. David Alaba is free on the market after Real Madrid refused to meet his demands for a three-year deal.
David Alaba is getting closer to a new club and Lazio in the driver’s seat
David Alaba is well advanced in negotiations for his next destination and could decide his future as a free agent in the coming days.
Read: Martin Ødegaard sinks Chelsea
Lazio are pushing to sign the 34-year-old Austrian defender, who is currently without a club after leaving Real Madrid. Talks have developed positively in recent days, and a signing could be close if the parties agree on salary terms.
Alaba ended his contract with Real Madrid on June 30 and has since been able to negotiate with anyone without a transfer fee. The key financial point in the negotiations is an annual salary of around 3 million euros.
Lazio accelerates – with the free agent market in sight
Lazio are still active in the transfer market, despite the Serie A window being closed. Sporting director Angelo Fabiani has deliberately kept three spots open in the squad in order to be able to strike in the free agent market should a current opportunity arise.
The defence is one of the positions the club wants to strengthen. The departures of Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila have reduced the breadth of the squad for Gennaro Gattuso, which has led the sporting management to look at available free agent players.
In this picture, David Alaba appears. The negotiations are reportedly well advanced in Italy, although the salary aspect still remains before the transfer can be completed.
In his final season at Madrid, the Austrian made just 16 appearances. Physical problems limited his playing time – something Lazio will need to take into account along with the financial terms before any deal is formalised.
More clubs in the battle for Alaba
The Italian club is not alone in showing interest. Roma have also made contact recently, while Manchester United and FC Barcelona have been linked to the situation since he became a free agent.
The advantage for any interested club is the absence of a transfer fee. Alaba ended his partnership with Real Madrid after five seasons, 131 official games and 11 titles.
His experience spanned more than a decade at Bayern Munich before moving to Spain in 2021. He can play as both a centre-back and a left-back – positions he has filled throughout his career.
Now Lazio must decide how far they are willing to go to meet his salary desire. The requested 3 million in annual salary is the most important condition for a transfer without a transfer fee.
The next few days could be crucial. If Lazio and Alaba manage to reach an agreement financially, the signing could be completed quickly. If not, Roma and other interested clubs are ready to enter the scene.
Amazingly, Mourinho’s first defeat came without being scolded by the referee
