The Austrian defender David Alaba is expected to leave Real Madrid as a free agent at the end of this season. His current contract will expires at the end of June 2026, according to report by Fabrizio he have first brings down the curtain on a decorated five-year stint at the Santiago Bernabéu. Several top clubs across Europe, the Middle East, and North America have already expressed interest in signing the 33-year-old veteran on a free transfer.
According to this report the reasons behind Alaba's departure, Real Madrid have not shown any interest in renewing his contract and that automatically means that he is a free agent and can go, the legend have achieved a milestone of the legacy he leaves behind and what this means for Real Madrid's defensive rebuild.
He also stated that Real Madrid have decided not to renew David Alaba's contract, which expires on June 30, 2026, The club has not opened negotiations for an extension, meaning the Austrian international will depart on a free transfer, just as he arrived from Bayern Munich in 2021. Several factors influenced this decision, primarily his injury struggles he is on high salary.
Alaba have really achieved alot since joining Madrid, Alaba has made 126 appearances, scoring five goals and providing nine assists as a defender. The player got a devastating ACL rupture injury in December 2023 sidelined him for over 13 months, and subsequent muscle and knee issues prevented him from regaining his best form, as of the 2025–26 season, Alaba has featured in only a handful of matches and has fallen behind younger defenders like Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen in the pecking order.
Alaba's weekly salary of approximately €432,692 (around €22.5 million annually) has become a financial burden for a player who is no longer a regular starter. Real Madrid are looking to offload high earners and change their squad with younger and more reliable options. The club has already set aside a budget of €8 million to sign a replacement, with La Fábrica graduate Jacobo Ramon being the player to return from loan.
David Alaba's departure marks the end of an era for one of the most decorated defenders of his generation. The Austrian captain, who turns 34 in June 2026, has amassed an astonishing collection of major honours across his career Starting from Bayern Munich, where he came through the youth ranks, Alaba made over 400 appearances and won 27 major trophies, including 10 Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals, and two UEFA Champions League crowns (2013 and 2020), both as part of historic trebles. He established himself as one of the world's best left-backs before transitioning into a world-class centre-back.
Since joining Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2021, Alaba added another two Champions League titles (2022 and 2024), two LaLiga championships, and several other domestic and international trophies to his cabinet, bringing his career total to over 30 major trophies. He also captains the Austrian national team, earning over 107 caps.
What set Alaba apart was his remarkable versatility. Comfortable as a centre-back, left-back, or even in midfield, his passing range, composure on the ball, and leadership made him invaluable to every manager he played under from Pep Guardiola and Hansi Flick at Bayern to Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso at Madrid.
Upon all the success stories his carrier injury came knocking 2 years after joining Real Madrid, which directly to serious knee injury he suffered in December 2023. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in his left knee required surgery and kept him out of action for over a year. The recovery was long and arduous, with a second knee surgery in May 2024 further delaying his return.
Even after returning to training in early 2026, Alaba struggled to regain his rhythm and match fitness. In March 2026, Arbeloa confirmed that Alaba had played 40 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly and that the knee was responding well, but the player needed time to build up sharpness. However, with Madrid's defensive pecking order already established, Alaba found himself as the fifth-choice centre-back behind Rüdiger, Militao, Huijsen, and Asencio.
In an interview with Sport 1 in September 2025, Alaba expressed optimism about his recovery, stating: "I feel very good and have made good progress in the last few months. I think i will be able to play 90 minutes for the national team right now". But despite his confidence, the club's hierarchy had already made up their minds.
With Alaba set to become a free agent, many clubs from around the world are already circling. His availability on a free transfer, combined with his vast experience and winning pedigree, makes him an attractive proposition despite his recent injury history.
Turkish giants Besiktas and Fenerbahçe have both expressed strong interest in signing Alaba. Besiktas, in particular, values his quality and experience, although his high salary remains a significant hurdle. The Turkish club is not willing to assume his complete €14 million salary and would need Alaba to accept a substantial pay cut, with Real Madrid potentially covering part of his wages. There is a twist: Alaba is reportedly a known supporter of Galatasaray, Besiktas's arch-rivals, which complicates any potential move to the Black Eagles.
Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, are reportedly ready to make Alaba a central figure in their squad, offering him an ambitious project to close the gap on domestic rivals Galatasaray. The Yellow Canaries see Alaba's experience and leadership as crucial to their title ambitions.
Italy clubs aren't sleeping, they are also making a move, AS Roma have emerged as serious contenders for Alaba's signature. Gian Piero Gasperini, who took over at the Stadio Olimpico, is keen to add the Austrian's experience to his backline as Roma push for Champions League qualification. The Giallorossi currently sit third in Serie A and are on track to return to Europe's elite competition, making them an attractive destination. Alaba would need to take a pay cut to move to Italy, but the project on offer could be appealing.
The Saudi Pro League has emerged as a likely destination. Alaba has reportedly received offers from several Saudi clubs and is open to making the move, viewing it as the likely final chapter of his professional career. The financial packages on offer from Saudi Arabia are unmatched, and for a player who has won everything in Europe, a lucrative swansong in the Middle East could be tempting.
🏴 Premier League and MLS
Premier League clubs are also monitoring the situation, with Chelsea reportedly on a four-club shortlist drawn up by Alaba's agent, Pini Zahavi. A move to England would allow Alaba to test himself in what many consider the world's most competitive league, but in my opinion i don't think it will be a good decision for him if he decides to join English premier League. MLS franchises have expressed interest in bringing Alaba to the United States, offering a different lifestyle and a less physically demanding schedule.
In the least of Real Madrid players who is expecting that is leaving the club are several veteran defenders, including Dani Carvajal, whose contract also expires in 2026, and potentially Antonio Rüdiger. Madrid are looking to build a younger, more athletic backline around Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, and Raúl Asencio. This move aligns with the club's strategy of investing in young talent rather than relying on aging stars with high wage demands.
For Alaba, the remaining weeks of the 2025–26 season offer a final chance to don the famous white jersey. While he may not feature prominently, his farewell is expected to be dignified, with the club and fans acknowledging his contributions to Madrid's recent successes.
News of Alaba's impending departure has elicited mixed reactions from the Madrid faithful. Many acknowledge his immense contributions, particularly during the 2021–22 Champions League-winning campaign, where he played a crucial role in the knockout stages. However, others are pragmatic, recognizing that his injury woes and high salary make his departure a necessary step for the club's evolution.
As Alaba prepares for his next chapter, the football world will watch closely to see where one of the most decorated defenders of his generation lands. Whether it's Turkey, Italy, Saudi Arabia, England, or the United States, his next move will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about transfers of the 2026 summer window.
David Alaba's departure from Real Madrid as a free agent marks the end of a glittering chapter at the Bernabéu. Injuries and the club's strategic shift toward youth have sealed his fate, but his legacy as a serial winner and one of the most versatile defenders in modern football remains intact.
For Real Madrid, the focus now shifts to rebuilding a defence capable of competing for years to come. For Alaba, the summer of 2026 represents an opportunity to embark on a new adventure, with no shortage of suitors lining up to secure his services. As the Austrian captain bids farewell to the Spanish capital, one thing is certain: his name will be remembered among the greats who have graced the Santiago Bernabéu.
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