Man Utd’s alleged talks with David Alaba have spooked Real Madrid, who have already started to look for his replacement.
The Spanish giants, having lost two key players to the Premier League outfit in the last two summer transfer windows, are wary of another potential transfer raid.
After securing Raphael Varane and Casemiro, United have set their sights on the versatile Austrian, Catalan source, Nacional, have reported.
It’s claimed United are very serious about signing Alaba, who’s one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in Europe. Erik ten Hag is ‘obsessed’ with the three-time Champions League winner, who can be an elite addition to his squad at multiple positions.
Martinez’s injury at the tail end of the season left Ten Hag with limited options, leading to the Dutch coach using Luke Shaw to fill in at the heart of the defence. Further, Shaw, whose injury record isn’t the best, is a vital creative outlet for his side, and in his absence, the Red Devils often appear toothless out wide.
Alaba has the ability to rotate with both players depending on the situation. The 31-year-old, who plays under former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick on the international stage, has also experience of playing in the middle of the park.
The Spanish outlet say United can make a very significant investment for Alaba’s services and there’s already a possible pre-agreement between the player and the English club. Real, meanwhile, are requesting a 50 million euros (£43m) transfer fee.
Los Blancos’ chief scout Juni Calafat is already preparing for Carlo Ancelotti’s trusted defender’s departure by scanning the transfer market for a new centre-back with enormous potential, a new Raphael Varane.
The Frenchman was signed as a teenager from RC Lens in 2011 before being sold to United in a £34 million deal a decade after.
