Reported Liverpool target David Alaba is “so disappointed” after Bayern Munich publicly confirmed contract negotiations had ended, the Austrian’s father George has told the Austrian Press Agency, via BILD.
If the Premier League champions were considering signing a defender in January after losing Virgil van Dijk, their minds have certainly been made up.
Joe Gomez has joined his centre-back partner on the sidelines after suffering a serious injury of his own on England duty this week.
The Champions League winner underwent surgery yesterday and, like Van Dijk, is expected to miss most of the season.
That means Joel Matip – the rather injury-prone Joel Matip – is suddenly the only ‘senior’ centre-half at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal, although youngsters Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams have impressed when called on.
But signing a genuinely world-class operator in the January transfer window would ease mounting fears Liverpool will struggle to defend their Premier League title this season.
And, according to 90Min, Alaba is more open than ever to joining former Bayern teammate Thiago at Anfield, with his contract due to expire in July.
Bayern would understandably love to come to an agreement with a modern-day club legend but that’s proving far more difficult than anyone imagined amid a public slanging match.
Sport claims Alaba wants a big pay rise to take his weekly wage to the region of £260,000 (Sport) – a sum Bayern seem unwilling to stump up after losing millions during football’s ongoing financial crisis.
President Herbert Hainer recently said “no more offers” would come Alaba’s way after he rejected their latest contract proposal. Meanwhile, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic now expects the Austrian superstar to depart.
“(Alaba) is so disappointed and injured, hurt, so many wrong things are being conveyed in public,” his father explains.
“I don’t know how things will continue. He is mentally strong and can deal with the matter in a relaxed manner.”
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