{"id":583896,"date":"2021-02-17T04:43:19","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T09:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=583896"},"modified":"2021-02-17T04:43:19","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T09:43:19","slug":"david-alaba-will-leave-bayern-munich-on-a-free-transfer-next-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/17\/david-alaba-will-leave-bayern-munich-on-a-free-transfer-next-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"David Alaba Will Leave Bayern Munich on a Free Transfer Next Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

David Alaba<\/a> confirmed on Tuesday that he is leaving Bayern Munich<\/a> on a free transfer at the end of the 2020\/21 campaign, ESPN reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The announcement comes after months of wrangling with the club over a pay raise. Alaba reportedly turned down<\/a> a new five-year deal from Bayern, worth about \u00a3250,000-a-week including bonuses.<\/p>\n

David Alaba to Leave Bayern Munich in the Summer<\/h2>\n

Defender Confirms the Departure<\/h3>\n

The Austrian international, who has made 415 appearances for the Bavarians, called a press conference the day after Bayern Munich\u2019s thrilling 3-3 draw with Arminia Bielefeld.<\/p>\n

“I have made the decision to try something new after this season and to leave the club,\u201d Alaba said. \u201cIt was a difficult decision. I have been here for 13 years. I made so many memories here.\u201d<\/p>\n

During his time at the club, Alaba played a fundamental role in the Bayern squads that won nine Bundesliga<\/a> titles, six DFB-Pokals<\/a>, two Champions League<\/a> finals and seven super cups.<\/p>\n

Alaba Has Not Decided His Next Destination Yet<\/h3>\n

The 28-year-old is capable of filling a variety of different roles on the pitch and has attracted interest<\/a> from several clubs, including Chelsea<\/a>, Manchester City<\/a>, Liverpool<\/a> and Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, Alaba has kept his cards close to his chest and did not say at the press conference where he would be going next.<\/p>\n

“I have not decided what is next for me. I decided to seek a new challenge,\u201d he said. “That’s why it took time. I have five, six, seven years left in my career. That’s why I decided to try something new.<\/p>\n

“It’s no secret my management is in touch with several clubs,\u201d he added. \u201cI will focus on my task here and will remain in contact with my management.”<\/p>\n

According to Christian Falk, chief football writer of German publication Bild, Alaba previously expressed his desire to play in the Premier League<\/a> back in 2009 and was asked at the conference whether plying his trade in England was still of interest to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot has happened since 2009,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cMaybe I am now placing more value on other criteria.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Real Madrid Favourites to Sign the Austrian<\/h3>\n

Last week, sources close to the player told ESPN that Real Madrid were favourites to sign Alaba and are supposedly close to closing a four-year deal<\/a> worth \u00a3400,000-a-week.<\/p>\n

Marca has already reported<\/a> that Alaba and Madrid have agreed to a deal, potentially making the Austrian the club\u2019s first signing of the summer.<\/p>\n

With the futures of both Rapha\u00ebl Varane<\/a> and Sergio Ramos<\/a> in question at the Bernabeu, bringing in the experienced defender would be a smart bit of business for Los Merengues<\/em>.<\/p>\n

When probed about the possibility of playing in Spain, Alaba told reporters<\/a>: \u201cMy Spanish is not good, but good enough for the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>