Bayern Munich star David Alaba has turned down an approach from Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, according to Sky Germany.
The 28-year-old has entered the final months of his contract with Bayern and is leaving the club at the end of the season.
A soon-to-be free agent, world-class defender — it is hardly a surprise that there are already several clubs in the race for his signature.
Sky Germany claims Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona are among the interested parties.
In Chelsea’s case, their new manager Tuchel is reportedly looking for a new centre-back this summer and Alaba, in particular, ticks all the boxes.
“Because he is, of course, world-class and because he [is left-footed],” Sky Germany’s transfer expert Max Bielefeld explained in the report.
Chelsea have plenty of centre-back options but none of them has a strong left foot, except for Emerson Palmieri who recently played on the left of the back three.
Unfortunately, according to the report, Alaba has reportedly turned down an opportunity to join Chelsea.
He reportedly does not want to play in the Premier League and has set his sights on La Liga instead.
Based on the report, it is nothing to do with money, since he also rejected a lucrative offer from PSG.
Chronicle view
Left-footed centre-back has always been relatively rare, particularly at top level.
It seems trivial, but having a left-footed centre-back could significantly improve a team’s attacking transitions.
A couple of months ago, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola explained why Aymeric Laporte went straight back into his team after a five-month absence.
“[Laporte] has something we don’t have in the squad — he is left-footed and plays left sided central defender,” he told Man City’s official website.
“He makes our build-up quicker, not because the other ones can’t, but because he is the only left-footed central defender.”
Tuchel, who is arguably as meticulous about tactical details as Guardiola, might have a similar idea.
However, there is nothing that Chelsea or Tuchel could do if Alaba has really made up his mind about playing in La Liga.
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