Liverpool have joined the race to sign Bayern Munich star David Alaba on a free transfer.
The Austria talisman is set to leave the German juggernauts after 12 full seasons in their first team, which has included nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League triumphs.
The 28-year-old has already been linked to both Manchester United, and more strongly Real Madrid, over the past few months as he looks for a fresh challenge after what could be his tenth league title.
However, Jurgen Klopp could fall short in his pursuit due to the player’s dreams of playing for Zinedine Zidane’s side, with talks progressing as the January transfer window heats up.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool are among five clubs that have contacted Alaba’s agent.
He adds that Real are still leading the race, and that talks are progressing each day.
Alaba has mainly played as a central defender under Hansi Flick during the past two seasons, having made his name as a regular starter at the club on the left hand side of defence.
In addition, he has played in central midfield for Austria, but more recently as a wide midfielder.
Flick said of his defender in November: “I’m honestly not happy that we have to deal with this issue this week, when we’re facing two difficult away games to Salzburg and Dortmund.
“I would be happy if David stays at Bayern beyond this season. He is a top player and a really great person.
“He embodies certain values, is popular with the club and supporters.
“I have no doubts that he will continue to perform at peak performance and give everything.”
Klopp said of his transfer plans this week: "I can't really say anything about that.
“But you can imagine, six months ago we talked about how much all football clubs struggle and thank God we could keep going, and it helped all the clubs as well.
"But it's still not the time where you really just…
"At least not for us. I don't know exactly how it is at other clubs, but we have to be really cautious and very serious, and so I don't know what we can and what we can't do."
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