Chelsea and Man Utd transfer blow as Real Madrid ‘win race’ to sign Alaba with Bayern star available for free in summer
REAL MADRID have beaten off their competition to sign David Alaba because Barcelona cannot afford him, reports say.
The Bayern Munich defender is available on a free transfer this summer, sparking interest from Chelsea, Manchester United and Barca.
LaLiga champions Madrid have won the race to sign him, according to ,
It is understood the Austrian's agent offered his services to several top clubs.
Barcelona were keen on the 28-year-old but have reportedly pulled out the race because they cannot afford his wages.
Alaba is after a four-year deal worth around £9million-per-year and the Catalans realised they cannot afford that as a result of the financial implications of coronavirus.
Barca's income is said to have dropped by £231m in 2020 which will see them pursue Manchester City's Eric Garcia instead.
Alaba will leave Bayern Munich in the summer after he refused to extend his contract.
He has made 19 appearances so far this season, but mostly at centre-back.
It comes as he lost his traditional left-back role to rising star Alphonso Davies, 20.
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But Alaba is equally capable playing centrally, in midfield or defence.
The defender has scored 32 goals and provided 49 assists for Bayern since being promoted to the first-team in 2010.
Chairman and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted the club tried their best to extend Alaba's stay.
Speaking in December, he said: "Bayern did everything we could to try and reach an agreement.
"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. He's free to speak to whoever he wants from January 1."