Real Madrid using David Alaba as a smokescreen?

Real Madrid have shown significant interest in David Alaba, but one report seems to indicate their desire to sign the player isn’t genuine.

For the past several months, Madridistas have heard report after report indicating Real Madrid are in such a difficult situation financially that major signings will be hard to come by. In David Alaba, Los Blancos can sign a proven, world-class defender for free, with the only possible barrier being his wages.

To this point, it seems like Real are willing to pay the 10 million euros per year it would take to sign the Bayern Munich star, though there have also been worries that Real can only afford to sign Alaba as an alternative to captain Sergio Ramos due to the wage constraints.

According to a report from El Confidencial’s Fermin de la Calle, Florentino Perez and Real Madrid are “bluffing” with their interest in David Alaba. Perez reportedly has no intention in paying Alaba 10 million euros, because he only wants to pay premium wages of 10 million euros per year to players who can win a Ballon d’Or. The point of the leaked interest is, apparently, to put further pressure on a Ramos renewal.

It makes more sense for Real Madrid to avoid spending on David Alaba

Would Alaba even be a starter for Los Blancos? Ferland Mendy is at left back. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are at center back. Casemiro is a much, much better defensive midfielder than Alaba. So the Austrian would only start if Ramos does not re-sign, hence why Alaba is only an alternative to Ramos.

The report from El Confidencial sounds conspirational, but it actually makes more sense to me than Real Madrid pursuing Alaba so hotly. There is another factor that Madridistas must admit. Alaba may prefer Real to other clubs, but those other clubs can offer Alaba and his agent, who is an important factor here, more money. PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City are not affected by the pandemic like Real is.

Alaba is a great player and seems to be close to Real, but a report like this makes us realize it is best not to get our hopes up too soon.