Real Madrid: The reason why David Alaba is still waiting to sign

Real Madrid can make a major free signing in the summer 2021 transfer window if they are able to secure the signature of Bayern Munich defender David Alaba. The center back has been identified as a possible replacement for Sergio Ramos if Real cannot keep their captain, as it has taken a while for both sides to come to terms. But as a whole, the expectation is that Los Blancos will re-sign Ramos.

Meanwhile, Alaba’s situation might actually be more uncertain, especially since he is an even less important signing to a hard-hit Real Madrid financially if Ramos stays.

According to a report from BILD’s Christian Falk, David Alaba still has not officially signed a contract with a club despite reports of a verbal agreement with Real Madrid.

Falk reports that Alaba has not signed with Los Blancos because they have not offered the Austrian international enough money. Therefore, he is continuing to negotiate with clubs in the Premier League that have deeper pockets than Real, as well as PSG, who have submitted a “concrete” offer for the 28-year-old.

It would be a mistake for Real Madrid to invest in David Alaba

Due to the high degree of competition for Alaba and the massive salary he will command, signing him on a “free” transfer was always going to be a difficult operation for Real Madrid. At the end of the day, Alaba will be a bigger financial commitment than Ramos both in terms of overall salary and years on the contract.

Further, there are rumblings that Alaba wants to play in midfield for a new club, and he simply isn’t good enough to crack Real’s midfield rotation, especially if Martin Odegaard returns and/or Isco stays. (And then there’s also the potential rising stardom of Antonio Blanco.)

Alaba was excellent in 2019-2020 and can be a good addition to Real Madrid. But he wouldn’t start over Ramos if Ramos were kept, and he might not be enough of an upgrade over Ferland Mendy – if he is even an upgrade at all – to be worth upwards of 15 million euros per year.

It’s not inconceivable for his price to rise that high during negotiations with Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG, and the like.

Los Blancos had the leg up on Alaba due to his desire to join the Royal White club, but money talks. And especially at this point in footballing history, Real just don’t have the financial clout to compete with clubs backed by a so-called higher power.