Pep Guardiola Begins Talks to Bring £40m Defender David Alaba to the Etihad
Bayern Munich left-back David Alaba is the latest highly-rated full-back to be linked with a move to Manchester City, in a revelation that seems to confirm that Pep Guardiola is set on replacing his current full-backs.
Austrian international Alaba, who captained Austria from central midfield at the Euros in the summer, worked under Guardiola at Bayern for three years and likes to play along the left side. The City boss sees him as the best left-back in the world, so it is likely that Alaba would stay there at the Etihad.
Guardiola has been concerned about the full-back areas in his City team, with Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin also strongly linked with a move to Manchester. Romelu Lukaku's solo goal for Everton in their 1-1 draw at the Etihad on Saturday exploited the right flank, and others have been conceded after errors on both sides.
Sunsport report that talks have reportedly begun between Bayern Munich and City in the last two weeks, but the move is expected to be finalised in the summer window rather than in January. Alaba recently signed a five-year deal at £75k per week at Bayern, but City can afford to double those weekly wages.
The 24-year-old defender helped Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga in the 2015/16 campaign, but new adventures could await him in England for the 2017/18 season. For the likes of Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolorov, however, the end of the road might be drawing near.
If Alaba does make the switch to Manchester, he could become a cult hero there. As for the red half of Manchester, expect them to quickly devise a chant mocking the Austrian's strong resemblance to American rapper Tyler, The Creator.
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