Bayern Munich's battle: Alphonso Davies contract saga continues amid Real Madrid interest

Bayern Munich find themself in a precarious position as they endeavour to secure the future of 23-year-old sensation Alphonso Davies, fending off keen interest from Real Madrid.

The German sports daily, Sport BILD, recently unveiled the intricate details of the Canadian full-back's contract negotiations, revealing his demand for a substantial pay raise to commit to a new deal at the Allianz Arena. With the club's top-tier salary hovering around the €15 million mark annually, failure to meet Davies' financial expectations could result in the non-renewal of a contract set to expire in June 2025.

This isn't the first time the Bundesliga champions have attempted to extend Davies' contract. Earlier this year, Sport BILD reported that Bayern offered him an annual sum of €12 million, but negotiations hit a snag following the departure of the then-sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic. Christoph Freund, Salihamidzic's successor in overseeing Munich's sporting affairs, is now tasked with reaching an agreement with Davies, but the landscape has shifted: Davies is now seeking more significant financial terms.

Nevertheless, Bayern are leaving no stone unturned in theirefforts to persuade one of the most distinctive players in his position. The challenge intensifies as Real Madrid, a club that both Davies and his agent Nedal Huoseh find enticing, loom in the background. Huoseh, in an interview with journalist Fabrizio Romano, expressed his pride in the interest from Real Madrid: "I don't want to underestimate Bayern, but Real Madrid and their 14 Champions... I've always been a fan of that team, and hearing that they're interested in a player you represent makes you proud."

Thomas Tuchel, the manager of the German outfit, recently spoke on the matter, acting as a spokesperson for the Bavarian club regarding Davies' future: "He is our player and an undisputed starter. He knows we value him, and for me, as a coach, it's a non-issue. He's in the right place, playing at the highest level every game. The contractual situation of players doesn't influence my work; that's the responsibility of Christoph Freund (sporting director) and Jan-Christian Dreesen (CEO). I have full confidence they will lay the foundations for everything to work."

As the summer of 2024 looms, a gripping saga is guaranteed, with Real Madrid reportedly setting their sights on Davies to reinforce and continue the legacy of attack-minded left-backs who have donned the white jersey over the past 30 years, following in the footsteps of legends like Roberto Carlos and Marcelo. 

The Madrid side, informed by the statements of Davies' representative, are aware of the player's appreciation for their interest. Still, they plan to negotiate with Bayern when the time comes, hoping for a scenario akin to Toni Kroos in 2014. That summer, with one year left on his contract and reluctance to renew, Bayern agreed to a reasonably priced transfer, a mere €25 million. Madrid aspire to a similar outcome with the approval of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has conveyed that Davies is also his preferred choice to bolster the left-back position in 2024.