The Reason Why David Alaba Is Considering Bayern Munich Exit

A lack of playing time in midfield is supposedly the reason behind ​Bayern Munich David Alaba possible summer exit. 

Murmurs of the Austrian's departure have accelerated in recent weeks, despite the 27-year-old playing a key role in Die Roten's chase for the treble this season under Hansi Flick. 

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are credited with an interest in Alaba, who is weighing up his future, having spent over a decade in Bavaria.

While the defender has rarely struggled for consistent game time at Bayern since his first-team debut in 2010 - winning a hoard of trophies that includes eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League - it is apparently his desire to play further forward that is the reason he could be on the move this summer.

Christian Falk of German news outlet Bild has reported that in 2016 when Alaba last extended his contract at the Allianz Arena, he was promised to have his chance to play in his preferred midfield position - a role he played earlier on his career and one he's often deployed in for the national team. 

Alaba is said to be unhappy that the club bosses haven't kept their promise, and seeing Joshua Kimmich convert from full-back to a star midfielder has been a bitter pill to swallow for the Austria international - who's been leant on to play at centre-back this season following long-term injuries to both Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez.

The versatile star has won it all at Bayern since his move from Austria Wien's academy in the summer of 2008.

Max Bielefeld of Sky Sport also believes Alaba is leaning towards a departure from Munich and is quoted as saying: "He is desperate to win the Champions League, and he sees a greater chance of doing so at other clubs. That's why a transfer is certainly possible in the summer.

"It seems like Alaba is leaning towards saying goodbye. You can hear that in every interview. He flirts with something new, and that's what you hear from his entourage as well. Shortly before he turns 28, he's ready to take on a new challenge."

A potential deal for Alaba - whose contract in Munich runs until 2021 - would likely cost around £60-70m, with Biefeld adding that it's only a matter of time before Alaba's new agent, Pini Zahavi, opens talks with the two Spanish superclubs.

"There will certainly be talks with Real and Barcelona, it will all pick up speed in the coming weeks." 

In addition to Barça and Madrid, English Premier League sides like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been linked.