Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have been linked to Bayern Munich star defender David Alaba this summer, but the Austria international would be more of a midfield option for Los Blancos.
The best young defenders in the world will be linked to Real Madrid in the summer 2020 transfer window, even though Los Blancos’ biggest needs are absolutely in the attack after Karim Benzema was the only player with more than five goals in La Liga.
So it was a surprise when Bayern Munich left back David Alaba, who spent the 2019-2020 season playing center back in light of Alphonso Davies’ emergence on the left, was linked to Real Madrid in recent transfer rumors.
Real is said to be the favorites over Barcelona for Alaba, and it seems like the Austria international only has designs on both La Liga powerhouses. Alaba is currently in contract negotiations with Bayern, as he wants a raise but also may feel that he’d have a better chance at winning Champions League titles with Zinedine Zidane in Madrid. He may also be upset at playing center back instead of center midfield, which is a position he’s thrived at in the past.
As such, Alaba would be more of a midfield option for Real Madrid than a defensive option. Although his best performances for Bayern have been at left back, there’s simply no way he plays there for Los Blancos. Real already have two of the best left backs in the world in Ferland Mendy and the returning Sergio Reguilon, who is the best player in La Liga at the position. And while Marcelo has been linked to a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, he’s still on the squad for the foreseeable future.
Alaba could be positive depth at center back, but he’ll struggle for playing time behind Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane. Plus, it’d be wiser for Real to give those opportunities to Eder Militao or another future star center back like Dayot Upamecano, as they’d benefit more from the experience at center back.
The versatility helps Alaba, but he’d really be a center midfield option for Los Blancos. He is willing and capable in midfield, with incredible technical ability and tactical awareness. Alaba could also find it hard to find playing time behind Fede Valverde and Toni Kroos, and Real would prefer to have a true defensive midfield backup in Eduardo Camavinga for Casemiro.
But again, Alaba’s versatility and technical brilliance could make him an appealing target for Real Madrid at the right price. The cost matters incredibly here, since Alaba isn’t a priority due to his age and Real’s lack of need. However, quality is quality, and Madridistas should consider Alaba a possible – albeit unlikely – midfield depth option.