Speaking recently on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Christian Falk discussed a number of this summer’s transfer rumours, and, in particular, Manchester City’s interest in Bayern Munich defender, David Alaba.
Since making his Bayern Munich debut as a 17-year-old back in 2010, Alaba has gone on to make 386 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals and providing 48 assists along the way.
Last season, the 28-year-old made 28 Bundesliga appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist, averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.99 – ranking him as the club’s 11th best performer in the league.
In addition to this, Alaba also made eight appearances in the club’s triumphant Champions League campaign, averaging a WhoScored match rating of 6.77, and was named in the Champions League team of the season.
However, reports emerged earlier this summer linking Alaba with a move to Manchester City, and, speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, Christian Falk provided an update on the Austrian defender.
He said: “City were also talking with [Alaba’s] agent, or better to say that the agent was talking with City, trying to do a swap deal with Leroy Sane that wasn’t possible. I think Alaba really would like to stay, but it’s a big question about the salary.
“I heard the agent said that he wants over €20 million, Bayern Munich won’t pay this price. They were also talking in Lisbon. They were talking before in Munich. In Munich, the parties were getting very [heated]. The next meeting was a little bit more quiet and more friendly. I think both sides will now try to find a solution.
“Otherwise, for Bayern Munich the bad [thing is] that there’s still one year [left on Alaba’s] contract, and in one year David Alaba can sign [for] every club in the world he would like to go: Real [Madrid], Barcelona, and any Premier League club, because then he’s free.”
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From Falk’s comments, then, it would appear as if Alaba, who is valued at £58.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), would very much like to remain at Bayern Munich, however, the club are not overly keen on paying the player the wages that he would like.
In addition to this, Falk states that he is going into the final year of his contract, meaning that he will become a free agent next summer if no new deal is agreed.
So, while a move from City for Alaba this summer may not work out, come next summer, there could be some big moves made for the Austrian.