Barcelona are interested in signing Bayern Munich defender David Alaba. Alaba has been an excellent servant for the German giants, having played with the senior team for a decade, racking up nearly 400 appearances and winning plenty of silverware.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have entered the race to sign the Austrian international. David Alaba’s current deal with Bayern expires at the end of the current season and he is reportedly not keen on re-signing with the club. The report reveals that he is not interested in signing a new contract if there is an opportunity to play for Barca or Real Madrid.
David Alaba has won nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League medals in his 10-year career with Bayern Munich.
David Alaba: The player Koeman needs?
David Alaba has been one of the stalwarts of Bayern over the last decade, first playing in the left-back position and now at centre-back. The versatile defender is supremely talented, and his speed, dribbling ability, passing and positional sense have made him one of Europe’s best defenders.
He played an integral part in Bayern’s fantastic 2019-20 season, where they won the Champions League, apart from domestic titles. Alaba may be looking for a new challenge and hence wants to leave the German club. He could be a very good addition to Ronald Koeman’s squad as he offers versatility, experience, and a winning mentality.
Barcelona have struggled defensively over the last few seasons, and they haven’t found a worthy alternative who can fight for a first-team spot with the likes of Gerard Pique. While Alaba has a completely different style to Pique as a defender, the Austrian could be a better option than the 33-year-old Spaniard.
Alaba can bring the ball out from the back, use his speed to make challenges and interceptions, and help Barca play on the front foot with his passing. But if Koeman is solely looking at the player as a centre-back option, he may be faced with the issue of selecting the right partner for him. Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet are both left-footed players, like Alaba, which may not bring balance to the Barca defence.
Hence, a right-sided centre-back will still remain on the shopping list even if Barcelona manage to snare David Alaba in the coming windows.
He could also be an option at left-back, which has also been a problem area due to Jordi Alba’s injury issues and underwhelming form. Junior Firpo, Alaba’s deputy, hasn’t impressed for the club since signing from Real Betis last season.
At 28, Alaba still has a lot to offer and Barca would be foolish not to sign him. His winning mentality and technical acumen will surely uplift the quality of the Catalan club’s squad and given the slump in morale which has been prevalent in the camp recently, a serial winner’s arrival will surely do more good than harm.
