David Alaba (28 years old) is a perfect fit for Real Madrid. At least sportingly speaking. With its incorporation, the white squad would cover many of the deficiencies that it is showing at the back at this start of the season.
Alaba has played for much of his career as a left-back, although in recent years he has established himself as a fully guaranteed central defender. Madrid have two very clear starters: Varane (27 years old) and Sergio Ramos (34). However, his spare parts leave doubts, because Militao (22) has had an irregular performance and Nacho (30) has lowered his performance. In addition, all four are right-handed (although Ramos always plays as a left center-back). There, Alaba would give Madrid something that it does not currently have: a left-handed central defender.
On the other hand, it can also be lateral. Precisely at a time when Mendy is increasingly consolidated in the ownership, but that Marcelo (32 years old) is more disputed than ever. Madrid suffers defensively when the Brazilian plays and Alaba would reinforce a demarcation that is currently at the center of the debate.
Therefore, sportingly, there are no doubts: Alaba fits. The problem comes in the economic section. According to what has been published in Germany, the Austrian would be asking for around 12 million net to renew with Bayern, a figure that could even increase in the event that he goes free to another club. A priori his signing is a 'bargain': a luxury reinforcement at zero cost (it ends in 2021 and it will not renew). But that zero cost is very relative and more so in the current situation.
Real Madrid made a salary cut last year to combat the economic crisis generated by the pandemic and if the games behind closed doors last for a long time, it is not ruled out that this situation will reappear. In this context, it is difficult to explain to the squad the incorporation of a player who would be among the best paid in the club. He is a footballer who wants to play in Spain, who fits in with Madrid and whom Madrid has followed in recent years. In other circumstances they would be obliged to understand each other, but in the current situation it is more complicated.
In that sense, everything will depend on the evolution of the economy in the coming months. In Madrid the priority is to maintain the economic balance of the club. That is why they are very attentive to the Alaba situation because they know that it is a great market opportunity, but only if it is economically feasible will they act …