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According to AS (h/t The Sun), Manchester City are ready to hijack the deal for David Alaba by offering him lucrative wages. Pep Guardiola’s side are willing to hand out a £370k-a-week deal to the Bayern Munich star. Alaba is out of contract at the end of this season and has attracted plenty of attention from elite clubs such as Real Madrid and Chelsea.
It would be hard to find much of a flaw in Manchester City’s side but there is one position that sticks out like a sore thumb – left-back. Benjamin Mendy was an inspired buy after his heroics for Monaco but injuries have often barred him from playing regularly. This has been happening for a while now.
Oleksandr Zinchenko can chip in with an occasional performance here and there but is clearly not suited to a defensive role. Mendy, even when fit, comes with his own set of problems. Ultra attacking in nature, his style of play tends to leave the centre-backs exposed at times.
This has often caused City problems as they like to play a high line. They have often had to use Joao Cancelo in that position, who is naturally a right-back by trade.
David Alaba, who is primarily a left-back, had to play at centre-back last season to accommodate Alphonso Davies. The versatile defender adjusted to the new role brilliantly and it proved to be a masterstroke from Hansi Flick.
Pep Guardiola has worked with Alaba before when he managed Bayern from 2013 to 2016. He would have no qualms settling into the side given his ability to adapt to any position. The 28-year-old has had minimal injury problems, which would no doubt be music to Guardiola’s ears.
Overall, he looks like a much better defender when compared to Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko. He can provide the goods at both ends of the pitch and not compromise on one.
City are doing the right thing by offering him such high wages. However, Alaba is holding out for £400k-a-week. It remains to be seen if both parties can find common ground and a deal can be completed.