Alaba's £12m-a-season wage demands 'could derail summer move to Real Madrid'

David Alaba's '£12million-a-year wage demands could derail a potential summer move to Real Madrid'.

The Bayern Munich defender is poised to become a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season and is free to speak to other clubs as of this month.

Barcelona were in the box seat initially but Alaba's £230,000-a-week demands proved a stumbling block, allowing their rivals Real Madrid to move ahead of them.

But, according to Goal, the Austrian's representatives - headed up by agent Pini Zahavi - are demanding a £12m salary after tax that would make him Real's top earner.

He would move ahead of club stalwart and fellow defender Sergio Ramos, who earns £11m-a-season.

As a counter-offer, Goal report that Real are prepared to offer Alaba a pay packet of £9m but this represents a sizeable compromise on his expectations.

While Alaba, 28, is a proven winner with two Champions League titles and nine Bundesliga crowns on his CV, acceding to his wage demands would prove problematic in the Real dressing room.

Cash-strapped Barcelona, who have seen their income drop by a colossal £231m during the Covid-19 pandemic, cooled their interest in Alaba, who could sign for free, after realising they couldn't afford his salary.

Alaba has already turned down a £200,000-a-week contract extension offer from Bayern, though Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has left the door open for a renewal.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick spoke positively of Alaba after their win over Mainz on Sunday afternoon, a result that returned them to the top of the Bundesliga table.

'He is very important to us, on and off the pitch. He is very popular and supports young players,' Flick said.

However, Bayern board member Oliver Khan said: 'We rolled out the red carpet for David Alaba and went to our limits. David and especially his advisor Pini Zahavi did not walk this red carpet.'

But if neither Barcelona nor Real can afford his salary demands, Alaba will either have to lower his expectations to secure a move or hope another wealthy club come in for him.