David Alaba's Camp Drops Bombshell on Shocking Real Madrid Move
Despite mounting rumors suggesting Real Madrid wants to move David Alaba during the summer transfer window, sources close to the Austrian defender have reportedly rejected any departure plans.
The era of Alaba being a regular starter at center-back for Real Madrid appears to be over. Since the 33-year-old suffered his ACL injury in December 2023, he has struggled to regain the form that helped him win the Champions League.
Due to fitness issues, recurring injuries, and subpar displays, Alaba's position at Real Madrid has virtually vanished, managing only 31 matches across the past two seasons. The defender now sits as Xabi Alonso's fifth option at center-back, trailing Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio in the pecking order.
AS confirms Los Blancos' intention to move Alaba before his deal runs out at the conclusion of the 2025–26 campaign, yet the Austria captain appears resolute about staying at the Santiago Bernabéu. Indeed, his "inner circle" informed the Spanish publication: "He's staying."
Alaba remains "determined" to demonstrate his value to Alonso and prove he can "compete" for a spot in Real Madrid's starting lineup.
The defender's revived optimism conflicts with Real Madrid's alleged preferences. After all, the likelihood of Alaba displacing Rüdiger or Militão to partner with Huijsen appears minimal, particularly after accumulating fewer than 600 minutes during the previous campaign.
The more probable scenario involves the former Bayern Munich star being consigned to substitute duties, while Real Madrid continues paying his €22.5 million ($26.1 million) wages. Subsequently, when his contract concludes next June, Alaba will presumably leave the club without a transfer fee, preventing Los Blancos from generating revenue from the player.
While Alaba wouldn't command premium prices given his extensive injury record, he could still have assisted the club in raising funds after it invested €163 million ($189.4 million) this summer on Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Franco Mastantuono and Álvaro Carreras.