Real Madrid out-of-favour defender keen on renewing his contract – report | OneFootball

Earlier this month, word had it that Xabi Alonso had found a new position for David Alaba, the team’s veteran defender who has suffered back-to-back injuries over the past year.

With the player losing his agility and speed owing to age and his repeated setbacks, the manager planned on using him as a midfielder to capitalise on his distribution range. After all, the player is very good with the ball at his feet.

Going by the first two matchdays, however, Alonso does not count on the veteran and he will see very few minutes this season. His situation, needless to say, is growing increasingly worrying.

The Alaba problem

As relayed by Defensa Central, Real Madrid now face a serious problem with the Austrian veteran because he intends to renew his contract at the club – something the administration do not see value in.

David Alaba’s contract expires in 2026. (Photo by Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images)

Alaba’s current deal at the Valdebebas ends in 2026 and the player has no intention of leaving at the end of his deal. His agent, in fact, has even communicated his desire to renew to the Real Madrid administration.

The player’s entourage have asked for time to evaluate Alaba’s physical fitness, form and performances on the field and believe he can earn Alonso’s trust through the same.

They thus wish to wait until the end of the year before taking a final decision based on the aforementioned criteria, although the player himself is clear that he wishes to stay at the club.

Real Madrid, for their part, are looking for ways to part ways with the player given his lack of prominence over the past year, his poor fitness and the arrival of younger players in the department.

After all, the club now has a squad well covered at full-back and central defence and there is barely any vacancy in midfield as well for the veteran to slot into.