[포포투=정지훈]
Alphonso Davis’ contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of this season, but there are no concrete renewal negotiations. Munich are open to renewing his contract, but Davis is taking his time and watching the situation unfold.
Davis is a Canadian player born in 2000 and a Liberian refugee. He grew up in the Vancouver Whitecaps youth team of the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) and debuted in the first team in 2016. Davis, who performed outstandingly in Vancouver, was selected to the national team immediately after acquiring Canadian citizenship. That’s how much he was a player cherished in Canada.
Munich recognized Davis’ potential and began recruiting him. After officially joining Munich in November 2018, he only played as a substitute in 6 games in the German Bundesliga in his debut season. However, as he finished adapting, he began to show his true worth. Davis emerged as a starting player in the 2019-20 season, appearing in 29 league games (24 as a starter, 5 as a substitute).
Since then, he has consistently played as Munich’s key defender. In the 2022-23 season, he also played in 26 league games, and last season he played in 29 Bundesliga games, scoring 2 goals and providing 5 assists. In the first half of the season, he worked with the newly joined Kim Min-jae on the left line.
Meanwhile, news has come that Real Madrid is interested. Real Madrid’s left defense resources are Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy. Eduardo Camavinga can also play in this position, but he is originally a central midfielder. Real plans to bring in Davis to strengthen the left defense. There was also news that he had already reached a personal agreement with Real Madrid.
But Real is in no hurry. This is because Davis will become a free agent next summer, so he can be recruited without a transfer fee. Munich plans to sell Davis if a suitable offer comes. Even Manchester United showed interest here.
Britain’s Sky Sports reported on the 15th (Korean time), “Davis is one of Manchester United’s main recruitment targets. We are already collecting information and are looking at the possibility of signing him. Davis will sign a contract with Bayern Munich next summer. “He could end up leaving without a transfer fee, and Real Madrid is also interested in him,” the report said.
In this situation, Davis is not negotiating a contract renewal with Munich. Davis wants a significant increase in weekly wages. According to many German media, the annual salary that Davis requested was a whopping 20 million euros (30 billion won). This amount is higher than teammate Kim Min-jae’s reported annual salary of 17 million euros (25 billion won). In Munich, he is on the same level as Manuel Neuer, who is second on the team.
Detailed negotiations are not continuing. Reporter Florian Plettenberg, who is well versed in the European transfer market, said, “Davis has regained his starting position under coach Vincent Kompany. However, there are no specific discussions between Davis and Bayern Munich about a new contract after 2025.” “However, Munich is open to renewing the contract. Of course, there is a risk of a free agent transfer,” he added.
