After Endrick, Alaba? Real Madrid advances another winter departure

Real Madrid is moving forward with its 'departure operation' ahead of the upcoming winter transfer window. After finalizing the loan of Endrick Felipe to Olympique de Lyon, the 'Merengue' board is reportedly working on the possible termination of David Alaba's contract. The 33-year-old defender will be a free agent in the summer, but the club does not seem to be counting on him for the remainder of the 25/26 season.

Alaba played barely 4 games (145 minutes) in the first half of the season. A calf injury kept him out from last October 19th until the final stretch of the year. He only returned to the squad list of Xabi Alonso against Sevilla (2-0), with the coach relying on the '4' due to the multiple defensive injuries for the Madrid team.

However, the medical history of the former **Bayern Munich** defender is already chronic regarding muscular problems. In 24/25, a torn cruciate ligament and another meniscus injury only allowed him to play 14 matches (599 minutes), just 3 more than he managed to play in 23/24 (17), when his ordeal with left knee problems began

Real Madrid hopes to release David Alaba in 2026

In this regard, journalist Fabrizio Romano assures that Real Madrid's board would have already decided on David Alaba's departure in 2026, although the club does not rule out anticipating the end of his contract by six months, giving him a free transfer in January.

The Viennese player arrived at the club in 2021 after a very successful spell (ten years) at Bayern. Although he was a starter and a key player in his first two seasons, since early 2023 he began to suffer from muscle discomfort that did not cease in the following two seasons.

More than a dozen injuries have prevented him from regaining his competitive rhythm from late 2023 to the present. However, the 33-year-old defender still believes he can play in the World Cup with Austria as captain, but ideally, he would find a team in the upcoming winter transfer window to gain playing time and confidence.

Xabi Alonso has Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger as his main alternatives for the center of his defense, although the level of both has been lamentable in recent months. With Éder Militao out, probably for the rest of the season, Alaba and Raúl Asencio could have many opportunities if they remain healthy and at an acceptable level

Alaba's Departure, a Financial Respite for Madrid

However, the Austrian has lost confidence after an endless ordeal of injuries, and **the most sensible option would seem to be to move to a club of lesser stature**, where perhaps having less media and sporting pressure would help the experienced defender to have regularity in the second half of the season.

Madrid, for their part, would be delighted to get rid of David's contract, as the defender earns around 22.5 million gross per season. Furthermore, Florentino Pérez does not rule out signing another center-back in January. In any case, the club does not intend to force his departure, as this would oblige them to pay him, equally, the remaining half year of his contract.

Alaba has scored **5 goals and provided 9 assists in 120 official matches** for the 'White House', in addition to nine titles including two Champions Leagues. Returning to the Bundesliga or trying his luck away from European elite can be viable options for the Austrian center-back, who left the Austria Vienna academy in 2008 to become a Bavarian legend