Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on David Alaba and More

Real Madrid have reportedly had an offer of €50 million turned down for Bayern Munich’s versatile defender David Alaba. 

According to Javier Silles of AS, the German giants have decided against accepting the bid, as they believe the Austria international is worth a whopping €80 million.

"Real Madrid's director general Jose Angel Sanchez has held meetings in Munich on numerous occasions with the player's father George Alaba who oversees in business matters relating to his son," added Silles. It's also suggested Los Blancos "are not deterred" in their pursuit despite the initial rejection.

Alaba has grown into one of the world’s very best footballers and arguably finest left-back in the European game. Here is a look back at some highlights from what has been another superb season for the 23-year-old:

It’s no surprise that Bayern value their man so highly. In what is arguably his most natural role on the left of the defence, Alaba has been superb. He’s an energetic presence on the flank, able to get up and support the team’s attacks as well get back and defend. When he gets into advanced positions he can also find a telling pass.

That quality in possession and vast understanding of the game has allowed Alaba to feature in a few different roles this term. In addition to left-back, the Austrian has filled in, and thrived, at centre-back this season for the German champions. Additionally, he can also play further forward in a midfield berth.

Alaba plays at the hub of the team for his national side, and it’s something football journalist Liam Canning would love to see more of at club level:

Real Madrid could potentially offer him a platform to do exactly that should a deal get done. After all, in Marcelo they already have an outstanding left-back; that could see Alaba potentially forming a three-man midfield alongside Luka Modric and his former Bayern team-mate Toni Kroos.

Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Alaba has all the traits you’d expect of a Los Blancos player. Not only does he have a footballing intellect to surpass most players, he’s a dynamic runner, a fearsome shooter and evidently a big character. As Alex Chaffer of DW Sports noted here, he’s also got a lot of experience for such a young player:

Here’s a look at how Alaba compared statistically to Real’s star left-back last season in league matches:

	Alaba	Marcelo
Apps (Sub)	27 (3)	28 (2)
Goals	1	2
Assists	0	3
Tackles per game	0.8	2.5
Interceptions per game	1.4	1.8
Dribbles per game	0.5	1.9
Key passes per game	0.6	1.7
Passing accuracy	92.4 %	84.3 %

It’d be some coup for the European champions. The 23-year-old is not only potentially the best left-back in the world, he has the natural attributes to become one of the game’s most fearsome players in time. 

Still, it’s tough to see the move coming off. Typically when Madrid want to sign a player, regardless of who it is, they get him. But Bayern, perhaps only alongside Barcelona, are a team that have the calibre and the financial clout to stand up to any sustained pursuit of their man. The German champions will be doing everything in their power to ensure Alaba stays exactly where he is.