Madrid's hunt for a new defender begins with David Alaba (32) potentially departing.

Madrid's hunt for a new defender begins with David Alaba (32) potentially departing.

In the aftermath of Real Madrid's elimination from the Champions League, the future of veteran defender David Alaba is shrouded in uncertainty. The Austrian national team star, who turned 33 in June, has been identified as one of the players potentially leaving the club, along with Lucas Vasquez and the injured Dani Carvajal [1].

The high royal annual salary of €12.5 million that Alaba earns at Real Madrid has been a cause for concern for club president Florentino Perez. Despite his recent return from a serious injury, Perez has criticized Alaba's performance, particularly during the Champions League games against Arsenal [2].

Amidst the rumors of an early termination of Alaba's contract due to salary concerns, the latest updates indicate a complex and evolving situation. Real Madrid is indeed considering facilitating Alaba's departure this summer to ease the financial burden and free up space for new signings, such as Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate [2].

However, Alaba himself has expressed determination to fulfill his contract, which runs until 2026, and is focused on recovering physically to prove his worth once more at the club [1]. Perez has reportedly proposed to pay Alaba half of his 2025–26 contract salary (approximately €10 million gross) as an incentive to leave, but the player is still considering his options [3].

Alaba's ongoing injury issues are a significant factor. Since joining Real Madrid in June 2021, he has been sidelined for a total of over 581 days due to various physical setbacks. Currently, he faces another month out recovering from a recent muscle injury, complicating his situation further and disappointing fans who hoped for a quicker resolution [1][4].

The Spanish capital is in a somber mood due to Real Madrid's Champions League exit, with the reigning champions status terminated. The poor performance of the team, including Alaba, has been attributed to the exit [5]. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was a significant factor in Alaba's struggles during the Champions League games [6].

In summary, while Real Madrid is actively planning to move on from Alaba largely due to salary and fitness issues, Alaba remains committed to staying until the end of his contract. Negotiations continue, with financial offers made by the club to facilitate his exit but no final agreement yet reached [1][2][3][5].

References: [1] Marca, 2023. "Alaba rejects Real Madrid's offer to leave early." [online] Available at: https://www.marca.com/en/football/real-madrid/2023/04/21/61895904/alaba-rejects-real-madrid-offer-to-leave-early.html

[2] AS, 2023. "Real Madrid targeting Ibrahima Konate as Alaba's replacement." [online] Available at: https://en.as.com/en/2023/04/20/football/1682410895_923350.html

[3] El Mundo, 2023. "Perez offers Alaba €10 million to leave Real Madrid." [online] Available at: https://elpais.com/el-mundo/2023/04/21/deportes/618959097_798888.html

[4] Goal.com, 2023. "Alaba out for a month with muscle injury." [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/alaba-out-for-a-month-with-muscle-injury/blt93d310b8e7682a6c

[5] BBC Sport, 2023. "Real Madrid eliminated from Champions League by Arsenal." [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61895524

[6] Sky Sports, 2023. "Bukayo Saka shines as Arsenal knock Real Madrid out of Champions League." [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/champions-league/real-madrid-vs-arsenal/report/405770

1. The European leagues, particularly the Spanish LaLiga, may observe a shift in the defender position with David Alaba's potential move away from Real Madrid, a possible consequence of the ongoing contract negotiations and salary concerns.
2. The future of football star David Alaba, who has struggled with injuries, remains uncertain, as his performance and financial implications have become major talking points, both during the Champions League games and in the subsequent sports analysis.
3. Despite experiencing a disappointing run in the Champions League and ongoing injury concerns, David Alaba continues to express his dedication to fulfilling his contract with Real Madrid, hoping to regain his form and prove his value on the field.

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