Real Madrid can only finance a deal for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba if they find a buyer for Marcelo, Defensa Central reports as speculation swirls around the Liverpool-linked superstar.
The phrase ‘read the room’ comes to mind when it comes to the treble-winning Austrian and his negotiation tactics.
According to Sport, Alaba wants £260,000 a week at his next club, having seemingly priced himself out of a new deal with Bayern.
He may be hard pushed to find a team willing to hand out such eye-watering wages in this financial climate – even if Alaba’s bargaining position has been strengthened by the fact he will be a free agent in the summer.
Sport adds that cash-strapped Barcelona can’t afford him.
Neither can a Real Madrid side that elected not to spend a single penny in the last transfer window. Defensa Central reports a move to the Santiago Bernabau is only possible if Zidane can find a way to get a modern-day Madrid legend off their already staggering wage bill.
A shadow of his once world-leading self at the age of 32 and now comfortably second choice behind the effervescent Ferland Mendy, DC adds that Marcelo earns about £18 million a year in the Spanish capital.
Finding a buyer, which may be easier said than done given Marcelo’s age, would open the door for Alaba’s arrival. Until then, that door remains firmly shut.
But what about Liverpool?
90Min reports Alaba is open to the idea of joining Thiago Alcantara at the reigning Premier League champions. But, like Real, Liverpool opted to keep their powder dry amid the global downturn.
We’re not suggesting Alaba would struggle to find work once his Bayern contract ends but, unless he changes tack, he risks scaring away the elite.
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