Real Madrid 'no longer in pole position' to sign Alaba on a free transfer

Real Madrid are reportedly no longer the frontrunners to sign Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free transfer come the summer.

The 28-year-old Austrian, who was a key member of the side which won the treble last season, is out-of-contract at the end of the season and is likely to move on to pastures new.

His next club is yet to be decided though, and the latest report in Spanish outlet AS states that talks between Madrid and Alaba's agent, Pini Zahavi, are not as advanced as previously reported, and the player himself is thought to favour a move to the Premier League.

The report details that Alaba's preference now makes Chelsea the frontrunners for the centre back's acquisition on a free, though Madrid are still contenders.

Yet Barcelona are also keeping an eye on Alaba's situation given his experience and pedigree at just 28 years of age and the Catalans hold a strong interest.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said this week it was '99.9 likely' that Alaba would leave the German and European champions this summer.

Rummenigge told Sky Sports via Marca: 'I am 99.9 per cent sure Alaba will leave the club at the end of this season. We will part in a friendly way and I hope he can say goodbye to us with more titles.

'He is fully committed to us and he is a nice guy that we all like. He deserves to be treated well until his last day at Bayern.

'David can sign for the club he wants. I do not know if he will arrive at an agreement with Real Madrid, but it is a great club and I can understand that it is interesting for him.'

Alaba has been integral to Bayern's success over the last decade, racking up 411 appearances for the club.

He has won nine Bundesliga titles and lifted the Champions League trophy twice in that time.