We can say that Bayern Munich has enjoyed a perfect season last year as they won their second Intercontinental Treble. Also at the starting of this season, they have already won the UEFA Super Cup and German Super Cup. Everything was going well but suddenly an issue has been raised which can sour Bayern’s perfect year. The matter is nothing but Bayern’s Austrian defender David Alaba‘s contract extension. It was expected that Alaba might stay at Bayern, but day by day, There are many reports from the Bayern camp.
David Alaba’s contract extension: Major problems
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick wanted to add at least one or two players in the summer window. But It is reported that the Bayern board has gone for different options rather than the manager’s needs. As per some reports, Flick wanted Timo Werner to be a part of his squad but the board kept openly courting German winger Leroy Sane and Bayern signed Sane finally. Similar things are happening in Alaba’s situation. Flick has openly told that he wants to keep David Alaba and also he regarded him as his defensive boss. The situation has worsened much which has made Flick express that he does not want to deal with such kind of things before tough games. Much alike to the Werner saga, the main problem is the will power of the board who failed to fulfil Flick’s expectations.
“I am honestly not happy at all that we have to deal with this issue in this week when we are facing two difficult games away to Salzburg and Dortmund. Also, I would like to say that David is a top player, popular within the club and the dressing room. I would be very happy if he stays. I am 100 Percent convinced David will give a good answer on the pitch”.
Hansi Flick, Bayern Munich manager
Responsibility on the Bayern Board
Bayern Munich was not ready to compromise with their offer for Alaba from Day 1. According to The Athletic journalist Raphael Honigstein, the board had also set a 7day time span for David Alaba and his agent Pini Zahavi after their talks were over on 23rd of October. Bayern clearly told Alaba and his agent that they will not change the offer for David Alaba’s contract extension in any situation. Basically, It was a take or leave offer. The manager has understood that the board is buying or selling players, not the coach. Though for the German Champions’ this attitude has been proved to become largely successful.
Bayern offered 17 million Euros per year for David Alaba‘s contract extension with a time span of 5 years including the current situation. The Austrian international demanded a little bit more which was about 3 million Euros. It is not needed to say that a club like Bayern Munich does not require to break their accounts to allow that extra money David Alaba’s contract extension as the club’s annual turnover is currently 750 Million Euros.
The board explains that other players like Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goreztka and others might ask for that kind of wage which will spoil the whole wage structure and situation may become similar to FC Barcelona if they allow David Alaba’s contract extension. They have pointed out clearly that Everyone would not be able given a wage similar to Robert Lewandowski.
Whenever any player or his agent tries to play hardball with Bayern, They generally take it to a personal level apart from financial issues. The Bayern Munich board hates to lose either it can be a match or be a player. The Chairman of Bayern Munich advisory board Mr Uli Hoeness accused Alaba’s father George and agent Zahabi and labelled them as greedy in a live show. Bayern also thought that Zahabi’s unwillingness to accept David Alaba’s contract extension was due to negotiation with other clubs as the player has told before he would like to play in Spain.
But some reports were emerging that Bayern has intentionally offered David Alaba an ultimatum contract to sign which he refused to do that which the club would have known. A “Nein” was expected. These things were running in the background until Chairman Hainer decided to step up who allowed C.E.O Karl-Heinz Rumminege to do the same thing which was done at the 2005 Annual General Meeting of Bayern Munich when Bayern withdrew their contract extension offer and allowed Michael Ballack to join Chelsea for free. The board is doing the same thing here as they want to avoid any kind of questioning regarding this after Alaba’s Press conference before the Salzburg match.
Player’s statements
Alaba himself wanted to extend his contract but the situation changed when he was offered to Manchester City as a part of a deal with Leroy Sane. Giving an interview to Sky Sports Germany, Alaba pointed out he was disappointed and somewhat hurt regarding this step. He also told that the talks started very late and thought that the move could be “a slap in the face“. As per the reports from German journalist Christian Falk, Alaba would like to join either Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, though some other clubs are in the race too.
If Bayern Munich does not improve Alaba’s contract extension offer, it could be very hard for the Austrian to remain at the Allianz Arena. This incident might label the negative stand of Bayern Munich in providing astronomical salaries to players. David Alaba who has played for Bayern Munich for a long time in his career might be on the move this summer, with several top tier clubs looking for the Austrian. We need to see how this whole scenario pans out.
What is your take on David Alaba’s contract extension situation? Let us know in the comment section below.
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