Juventus reportedly have interest in signing Bayern star David Alaba.
Earlier this year, David Alaba was linked to Real Madrid and Barcelona, but many fans believed the Bayern Munich star’s agent was simply putting more pressure on Die Roten to give him a bigger deal. But now, it seems like Alaba and center midfielder Thiago Alcantara could potentially exit the team this summer.
According to a report from RAI, via JuveFC.com on Twitter, Juventus have been linked with the star left back.
Well, Alaba has actually been playing at center back this season, and he’s been one of the best players at the position in the entire Bundesliga alongside the likes of Dayot Upamecano. It isn’t his natural position, but Alaba has excelled, putting on a recent masterclass in the 1-0 title-deciding victory over Borussia Dortmund.
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Alaba can play at center back, left back, or defensive midfield at a high level, as he’s shown it on the field for both club and country. The 28-year-old is still in the prime of his career despite all of his experience and he could offer plenty to Juve.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are powerful clubs, but they don’t really have space for Alaba due to their talent at left back, center back, and in midfield. Juventus, however, need midfielders and left backs.
Just this past Friday, they were forced to play midfielder Blaise Matuidi at left back and start Adrien Rabiot in his place in midfield. Rabiot is expected to leave this summer.
Alaba would be a starter at left back for the Bianconeri, though their current starter, Alex Sandro, is solid. It’s just that he’s not nearly on Alaba’s level technically.
And aside from that, Sandro could still be an excellent backup to Alaba. Juve need to upgrade Mattia de Sciglio anyway, and he could be on the way out as well. De Sciglio is a right back trying to play left back and is woefully ineffective offensively.
It will all have to come down to cost, since Juve might not have a player that interests Bayern Munich in a swap deal. Juve have designs on being the biggest club in Europe, and Alaba can help them get there by starting at left back or even providing depth at a variety of positions. It’s just that Alaba is a role player and not a superstar, in spite of his obvious quality, so spending an excess of 50 million euros on a player with no resell value would be a mistake.
Still, Alaba is an interesting idea to think of, and he could be an excellent signing at the right price. Unfortunately, I’m not so sure Bayern will be offering him, let alone at an affordable rate.