You will likely hear Alphonso Davies’ name a lot in the coming weeks and months.
The Bayern Munich and Canada left-back is approaching the end of his contract with the German club in June and his future is unclear. Back in February, possible terms were discussed with Real Madrid to join them either this year or next — but it remains to be seen whether he moves to the Bernabeu.
So, what’s going on with the 24-year-old, and where could he end up? Here, we explain what we are hearing about Davies’ situation. The sources we have spoken to asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to comment publicly on the subject.
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What’s Davies’ contract situation?
Davies’ current contract with Bayern ends on June 30 next year, as announced in April 2020. Then managing director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and CEO (and former Bayern goalkeeper) Oliver Kahn appeared in the photo the club published after that agreement.
Salihamidzic and Kahn played key roles in trying to get Davies to sign a new deal early last year — but they were both sacked in the May and the proposed renewal fell through.
Transfer regulations allow Davies to negotiate with, and agree a summer free-agent move to, any other club who want him from January 1 — a scenario Bayern are trying to avoid.
In early 2024, Bayern said in public and private that Davies had to renew his deal or be sold in the coming summer window, as they did not want to lose him for free when his contract expired. In mid-March, they gave him a two-week ultimatum to respond to their offer of around €13million per year ($13.7m; £10.8m at current exchange rates) until 2029, a package which the player eventually rejected.
Davies after extending his Bayern contract in 2020 (M. Donato/FC Bayern via Getty Images)
Bayern then realised they would have to open themselves up to losing Davies for free if they wanted to get him to sign a new deal. In June, Davies’ representatives and Bayern sporting director Max Eberl — who had been appointed in March — reached an agreement in principle to extend his stay, which began when he joined from Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS in 2018. Their new head coach, Vincent Kompany, spoke to Davies to convey his confidence in him.
Despite this, the board decided to put these discussions on hold over concerns about Davies’ performances in the second half of last season, as Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga and were knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals by eventual winners Real Madrid.
Which other clubs are after him?
Several big European clubs have shown an interest in signing Davies.
The most high-profile of these are Real Madrid. They and the player’s representatives reached an understanding in February over what the terms might be of any potential transfer, were he to have signed for them for a fee last summer or as a free agent with a signing-on bonus this coming summer.
But Madrid then cooled on the idea and only resumed contact with Davies’ camp after they won the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in June. That, coupled with Madrid not making a formal offer to Bayern in the summer, left Davies in doubt about whether the Spanish club really wanted him. There have since been talks between Madrid and the left-back’s agent this season, but nothing concrete, despite some reports to the contrary in Spain.
Barcelona have also shown interest but there are serious doubts as to whether they could afford Davies. Madrid’s arch-rivals are still operating above their La Liga-imposed salary limit and need to raise funds to register summer 2024 signings Dani Olmo and Pau Victor for the second half of the current league season.
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Manchester United have previously been linked with Davies, but sources close to the player say the upheaval at the club and their current lack of involvement in the Champions League makes them less attractive from his end. At a time when budgets are tight at United, Davies would be a high-earner even if arriving as a free agent and club sources say it is not a priority deal at present.
Multiple industry sources have told The Athletic that Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing the player and that they would be the most plausible Premier League destination for him. However, a move to Anfield is considered an unlikely outcome at present, though, and senior Liverpool sources have strongly denied any interest in a deal.
Other sides, such as Premier League duo Arsenal and Chelsea, are monitoring the left-back.
Where is his most likely destination?
Bayern and Davies’ agents have been in regular contact in recent months, including via a video call last week. Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation have said Bayern are very optimistic and feel there is a good chance Davies will extend, given the player feels at home in the club and city after almost seven years, and is a popular member of the dressing room.
Sources say Bayern are very optimistic about Davies extending his deal (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
At a recent AGM, club president Herbert Hainer spoke of their desire to keep him at Allianz Arena, referring to him — alongside Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala — as one of the “defining faces” of Bayern.
As in any case when a big player has multiple suitors, it is best to be cautious with predicting the outcome of this saga. It seemed as if Madrid were Davies’ most likely destination after they reached an understanding with him in February, but just months later he appeared close to renewing his deal with Bayern after those talks with Kompany.
When could this be resolved?
There is no deadline to decide Davies’ future, but those close to the player expect something more concrete to emerge between now and February.
Davies already knows how far Bayern are prepared to go to keep him and, if he has not agreed anything with them by January 1, he is expected to receive formal offers from elsewhere. Whether he renews or not, it does not make sense for him to delay much longer.
(Top photo: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
