Real Madrid ahead of Manchester United in transfer race for superstar

Manchester United could miss out on their defensive target, with Spanish giants Real Madrid leading the race to sign the superstar.

While thinking about the disastrous start to the 2020-21 campaign and the number of goals the Red Devils have conceded lately, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would surely be hoping that the club sign a centre-back next summer, or perhaps even as early as next month.

Having spent £80 million on the signing of Harry Maguire in the summer of 2019, it was understandable that they wouldn’t consider adding another centre-back to their ranks this time despite the departure of Chris Smalling, who joined AS Roma on deadline day.

Owing to United’s incompetency in reshaping the defence, the whole back-line now finds itself under immense scrutiny. Having conceded 23 goals from 14 matches, the Red Devils remain the side to concede the most number of goals as far as Premier League’s top ten are concerned despite their impressive position in the table.

Hopes were raised though as Manchester United recently started keeping tabs on Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, who looks set to leave the German club for free next summer.

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Bayern were keen to keep hold of the 28-year-old but it looks like they won’t be able to agree terms on a new contract. Alaba, who has played over 400 matches across all competitions for the reigning German champions, is free to talk with interested clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement in January.

And according to a recently-emerged report from The Athletic, Real Madrid are leading ‘the way in pursuit of his signature’. Real Madrid, led by Zinedine Zidane, are willing to hand Alaba the sort of wages the Austrian is looking for.

The report, written by Manchester United correspondent for The Athletic Laurie Whitwell, further suggests that Alaba’s overwhelming demands are the reason the Red Devils are no longer in the queue to sign the defender, who can play both as a left-back as well as a left-sided centre-back.

The story believes that Solskjaer wants to sustain a pleasant harmony within the squad. And providing someone with a contract possessing gigantic numbers might incite friction inside the camp.