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Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

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Dietmar Hamann comments on reported Liverpool interest in Bayern Munich star

Will Butcher
Will Butcher

that he expects Bayern Munich defender David Alaba to move to a Spanish club in the summer, amid reports Liverpool could look to lure the Austrian to Anfield in 2021.

Alaba, 28, is in the final six months of his contract and from January 1, he will be able to talk to non-German sides about a pre-contract arrangement that would see him leave Bayern for nothing – and join a new team from July 1 onwards.

Since moving into centre-back from left-back, Alaba has taken his game to a new level – surpassing 400 appearances in all competitions for Hansi Flick’s side. But he is now expected to leave, and Liverpool are said to be interested.

Indeed, he will have a new club by July 1 – with Liverpool interested. But ex-Reds midfielder Hamann believes the Austrian’s preferred destination will be a move to Spain, and either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

(Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)

“Alaba’s preferred destination is Spain. The fact Liverpool is interested is not surprising. Alaba has probably been the best centre-back in Europe behind van Dijk over the past 12-18 months. I don’t see Bayern letting him go in January,” Hamann said.

“Upamecano is a tremendous centre-back but Leipzig won’t let him go in January. I don’t see them getting a defender that will improve them in January. These clubs won’t sell. I would stay put, I don’t see any of the top clubs letting their best players go.”

TBR’s view – Hamann is bang on, but will Liverpool go after the best?

No big team, especially still in the Champions League, are going to let their best players leave – even if their contracts run out in the summer. Bayern would rather keep Alaba than sell him for some cash over the course of the next few weeks.

If Liverpool do sign a player like Alaba – who has demands of £350,000 a week () – then clearly it would be a top signing. But when Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez return, one of those two players would have to drop out.

Liverpool are much more likely to sign a player who can provide decent cover now, but is also happy to sit on the bench when van Dijk and Gomez are fit again. Alaba, as Hamann says, is likely to be in Spain next season.

(Photo by A. Hassenstein/Getty Images for FC Bayern )