Real Madrid and Alphonso Davies have reached a verbal agreement for the Bayern Munich left-back to join in 2024 or 2025.
The La Liga club — led by chief scout Juni Calafat and director general Jose Angel Sanchez — have been in contact with Davies’ camp for some time and have asked him since the beginning of the talks not to renew his contract with Bayern, which expires in 2025, so he can join them.
There have been several meetings in recent weeks, including one in person in Madrid in mid-February, which have accelerated the process further.
There are two options on the table with Real open to doing a deal for a below-market price this summer — much like Toni Kroos’ move in 2014 — or the following year when Davies’ contract ends, like David Alaba in 2021.
Despite preliminary interest from rivals Barcelona as well as clubs in England, who have been monitoring the situation, Davies’ preference at this stage is to move to Madrid.
Davies is keen on a move to Madrid (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The two clubs are yet to open negotiations with the Bundesliga champions still trying to convince the player to extend and having turned down approaches with offers for potential replacements for the Canada international in recent months.
Bayern don’t want to lose the 23-year-old for free, however, and if they cannot strike a deal on fresh terms will attempt to maximise a fee for him in a sale this summer.
A deal for Kylian Mbappe remains Real’s No 1 priority for the summer — and they expect him to join — but any move for the France international won’t preclude a pursuit for Davies as well.
Ferland Mendy has been Madrid’s first-choice left-back this season with Fran Garcia also filling in on occasion.
Davies joined Bayern from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps in January 2019 and has gone to make 180 appearances for the club, winning the Bundesliga title five times and was part of the Champions League-winning team in 2020.
He has played 27 times in all competitions for Bayern this season, scoring one goal and adding three assists.
(Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
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