Udinese nears signing former Real Madrid defender
Udinese nears signing former Real Madrid defender
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Udinese’s defensive problems have been compounded by several personnel issues: Kristensen’s departure, Kabasele’s suspension for the first two matches, early struggles from Bertola, and injuries to Solet and Palma. Manager Kosta Runjaic has consequently been forced to reshuffle his back line, with Enzo Ebosse often filling in despite occasional lapses in concentration.
2
The club’s white-chair social-media hint refers specifically to Alaba’s celebration after Real Madrid’s 2022 Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, when he lifted a plastic chair to mark the victory.
3
The transfer has not yet reached Fabrizio Romano’s final “Here We Go” stage: Romano reportedly described the move as a verbal agreement, with formal steps still required before completion.
4
Alaba was left out of Austria’s latest squad for the country’s next four UEFA Nations League fixtures, while Udinese are scheduled to return to Serie A action on October 12 away to Torino.
5
Alaba’s reduced involvement at Real Madrid was substantial: he made 47 appearances across all competitions over his final three seasons, and Sports Mole reports that only 30 of those came during his last two campaigns.
Udinese is nearing the signing of David Alaba, the 34-year-old Austrian defender who spent five seasons at Real Madrid. Fabrizio Romano reports the club has reached a verbal agreement with the free agent, though formal steps remain pending. Alaba won two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies during his 134 appearances for Madrid before leaving this summer.
The move would give Udinese a major defensive boost. The Serie A club has conceded 11 goals in just five matches and faces injuries, suspensions, and departures that have forced manager Kosta Runjaic to constantly reshuffle his back line. Udinese even hinted at the deal on social media by posting a white chair — a reference to Alaba's famous 2022 Real Madrid celebration.
Alaba's Decline in Playing Time at Real Madrid
Injuries limited Alaba's involvement over his final three seasons in Spain. Sports Mole reports he made just 30 appearances across all competitions during his last two campaigns at the Bernabéu. That represents a sharp drop from his earlier years, when the versatile defender was a regular starter for one of Europe's biggest clubs.
Udinese's Defensive Crisis Opens Door for Alaba
Udinese's backline has crumbled this season. Kristensen departed the club, Kabasele faced suspension for the first two matches, and both Solet and Palma are currently injured. Young prospect Bertola has struggled in early appearances, forcing Runjaic to deploy Enzo Ebosse as a makeshift solution — a player who occasionally lapses in concentration at crucial moments.
This cascade of issues explains why Udinese acted quickly to land a proven defender. With a tough Serie A campaign ahead and the club sitting in the lower half of the table, signing an experienced player like Alaba could stabilize the defense and boost the team's competitive chances.
The White Chair Signal and Austria Snub
Udinese revealed its intentions through a clever social media post: a solitary white chair. The image references Alaba's celebration after Real Madrid's stunning 2022 Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, when he lifted a plastic chair to mark the victory. The hint confirmed months of transfer speculation that Alaba's next destination was Italy.
Meanwhile, Austria's national team has moved forward without him. The Austrian Football Association left Alaba out of its squad for the next four UEFA Nations League fixtures, suggesting both parties have accepted his move away from elite competition. Udinese returns to Serie A action on October 12 away to Torino.
Deal Not Yet Official Despite Strong Agreement
The transfer remains in a gray zone. Fabrizio Romano, the leading voice on transfer news, has described the situation as a verbal agreement rather than his trademark "Here We Go" announcement — which signals a deal's final completion. Formal paperwork and official club statements are still required before Alaba officially becomes a Udinese player.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
16
Articles
16
Reach
32
A
AnonymousAuthor
