Real Madrid Transfer News: David Alaba Bid as Bayern Eye Pepe Swap, Top Rumours

Real Madrid have reportedly lodged a third bid for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, offering €65 million (£54.5 million), with the Bundesliga giants also wanting centre-back Pepe included in the deal.

According to AS, Los Blancos took advantage of the two clubs' meeting in the International Champions Cup on Wednesday to move again for the 24-year-old Austrian.

The report stated it was Real's third bid for Alaba this summer, with Javier Silles of the paper previously having said the first offer amounted to €50 million (£41.9 million) and the second was worth €65 million (£54.5 million).

VI-Images/Getty Images

Bayern previously tried to include Raphael Varane in the deal and are now trying for Pepe, but Real are still reluctant to involve any of their players despite the German club valuing Alaba at €80 million (£67 million), per AS.

Alaba would be a brilliant addition to the Los Blancos squad. At just 24, he is already one of the most consistent performers in Europe and has been included in UEFA's Team of the Year for the last three seasons running.

Predominantly played as a defender by former manager Pep Guardiola at Bayern, Alaba's preferred position is as a central midfielder, and he has even been utilised as a No. 10 and striker when playing for the Austrian national team.

Even if Pepe did go the other way, the arrival of the Vienna-born star would surely make the European champions a better side.

Varane, 23, could finally make the step up to a more prominent role in manager Zinedine Zidane's side as the centre-back partner for Alaba or Sergio Ramos.

Alaba could also play more regularly in his preferred central-midfield role as an alternative or partner to Casemiro, while he would also provide world-class cover for Marcelo at left-back, which Real are lacking, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Though €80 million price tags are more regularly associated with attacking flair players, it is a valid fee for Bayern to be demanding for such a versatile and high-quality player as Alaba.

Real should arguably be prepared to meet Bayern's demands and include Pepe in a player-plus-cash deal.

The Portuguese has been a brilliant servant to Real, but he is now 33 years old and in the latter stages of his career.

Conversely, Alaba is only likely to get better, which is a stunning prospect for a player who has already won five Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League.