David Alaba heading to Italy: verbal agreement reported with Udinese

David Alaba is heading to Italy. According to Fabrizio Romano, Udinese have reached a verbal agreement with the Austrian defender, who has been a free agent since his contract with Real Madrid expired in June and is completing the final procedures to join the Italian club.

Alaba has given the green light to Udinese’s project, but a medical examination and the signing of the contract must still be completed before his arrival is officially confirmed. If the deal goes through, it would represent a major signing for the Friulian club, which would secure a player with European honours and experience of the continent’s biggest occasions.

Alaba joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 from Bayern Munich, without a transfer fee after his contract with the Bavarian club ended, and quickly became an important part of Madrid’s defence. He was able to play both in central defence and at left-back.

In the white shirt, he won Liga and Champions League titles. However, a very serious knee injury at the end of 2023 halted his progress and affected his final two seasons at the club, during which he rarely regained the level and role he held in his early years in Madrid.

When his contract expired in June, Real Madrid chose not to renew it. Having remained available while waiting for a project that matched his ambitions, the defender now appears to have found that opportunity at Udinese.

For the Italian club, signing a player of Alaba’s profile without a transfer fee would be a strong statement in the market, while bringing experience and leadership to a squad aiming to establish itself in the upper reaches of Serie A. The two parties are now working through the final administrative matters; if the transfer is confirmed, it would rank among the most notable moves of the summer market.