The pendulum that is the transfer situation of Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies could be swinging back toward Real Madrid.
A report from ESPN stated that the relationship between Davies and Madrid is excellent and that Davies was still assessing his latest offer from Bayern Munich:
After securing the signing of Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s next target is to try to sign Bayern Munich full-back Alphonso Davies, sources have told ESPN.
The Canada international’s contract expires in 2025, and ESPN reported in January that Madrid would move to sign him if the player decided not to renew, and Bayern preferred a deal this summer rather than losing him for free next year. Sources close to the deal have told ESPN that the relationship between Madrid and Davies is “excellent” and the club are waiting for the player, and Bayern, to decide on their next steps before moving to sign him.
Davies is assessing Bayern’s latest contract renewal offer, sources told ESPN, but the terms are a long way from what the player would consider accepting to continue with the Bundesliga giants.
In his work for CaughtOffside (via @iMiaSanMia), Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk added more context on the rumored offer from Bayern Munich and how the Bayern board might have taken it off the table:
There were conversations over Alphonso Davies’ future. The player’s agent, Nedal Huoseh, was recently in Munich. Everyone thought he would sign a new contract because there was a new agreement after Max Eberl held talks with Huoseh. But Bayern’s board wasn’t happy with the numbers on this agreement, they said he’s still too expensive. I heard they were talking about a four-year contract, which would have cost a €100m package in total. It included a signing fee for the agent and player. The signing fee was €15m, I heard, which was too much, at the moment, for the Bayern board. That’s why the agent flew back without an agreement. So, Davies is now on the market again if Bayern doesn’t find a solution to make the numbers more appetising.
Through all of that, Bayern Munich is not exactly sweating the situation per kicker’s Frank Linkesch (via @iMiaSanMia). The acquisition of Hiroki Itō has the Bavarians calm about the situation, so much so that Bayern Munich might be willing to let Davies play out his deal and leave for free in 2025:
Bayern are relaxed despite the current standstill in contract negotiations with Alphonso Davies. With Hiroki Itō, Bayern have already signed a player who can cover the position – and there’s also Guerreiro in the squad. The club is unwilling to meet Davies’ current demand and would put him up for sale if he doesn’t lower them. Real Madrid remain interested but will not pay Davies more than what Bayern are currently offering. Going into the final year of his contract is not Bayern’s preferred scenario, but is not completely ruled out either and wouldn’t be the end of the world for the club.
Bayern’s decision-makers have clearly noticed that Davies has not caused any problems off the pitch. He’s even said to have intensified his German lessons in recent months. And at least in some cases he had a slight upward trend in performance in the last few games of the season, for example with his goals against Real Madrid and Hoffenheim. However, he needs to get his defensive weaknesses under control.
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg (via @iMiaSanMia). backed up the claim that Bayern Munich will go into Davies’ walk year knowing that he will likely…walk:
Bayern have decided to go with Alphonso Davies into the final year of his contract and take the risk of him potentially leaving on a free. Davies’ demands are currently still too high. The club will see during the season whether it would be possible to extend his contract.
Plettenberg even added more context:
FC Bayern is now willing to let Alphonso #Davies enter the final year of his contract, as revealed yesterday!
… and Bayern does not expect Real Madrid to make an offer.
▫️Bayern absolutely does not intend to meet the management’s demand for €20m/year + high amounts for the signing etc. …
▫️If Davies returns to top form under Kompany next season, Bayern will reassess the situation. Currently, the club is relaxed because they have signed #Ito, a potential left-back. And there will be pressure from Guerreiro.
Looking for thoughts and analysis on Germany’s outlook for the EURO 2024 competition and an in-depth breakdown on the multitude of Bayern Munich transfer rumors — including the arrival of Hiroki Ito and the possible departures of Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Alphonso Davies, plus a whole lot more? Then check out our Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up on Spotify or below: