Transfer Rumors: Manchester United Eye Bold Move to Land Alphonso Davies on a Free Transfer

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the transfer rumor mill is kicking into high gear, and one name dominating the chatter is Alphonso Davies. The Canadian captain has reportedly caught the eye of English powerhouse Manchester United. The Red Devils have been tracking Davies' meteoric rise for a while, and it seems they’re now ready to make a serious push to bring the dynamic full-back to Old Trafford.

Alphonso Davies’ future at Bayern Munich has become a hot topic as his current contract edges closer to its expiration at the end of the 2024/25 season. Negotiations for an extension have hit a snag, opening the door for other clubs to swoop in for the Canadian sensation. Bayern reportedly tabled a five-year deal worth over €13 million gross annually, but Davies is believed to be seeking a package closer to €20 million plus bonuses. This contract impasse has sparked interest from footballing heavyweights like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United, all eager to secure the electric full-back on a free transfer. For a while, Real Madrid appeared to be in pole position to land Davies. However, the transfer landscape has shifted, with Manchester United now emerging as serious contenders for his signature. 

Blid’s respected journalist Christian Falk has claimed that Manchester United have asked Alphonso Davies’ agent for a meeting in January. Davies is free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement from 1st January, as only six months are left on his existing contract with Munich. But despite this development, Sky Sports Germany has reported that Davies and Bayern have reopened talks on a contract extension. Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg recently tweeted, “FC Bayern have made significant progress regarding a contract extension with Alphonso Davies beyond 2025. Negotiations are ongoing and positive, key figures already discussed. But some more details need to be clarified. The focus is on a new long-term contract. In terms of salary, Davies has made significant concessions to Bayern. Further crucial talks are set to take place before Christmas. Not a done deal yet. Manchester United are also aware that Davies is likely to sign a new contract with Bayern.” 

For Manchester United, this development comes as a major blow. Alphonso Davies was seen as a transformational signing, perfectly aligned with Ruben Amorim’s tactical vision and style. With his blistering pace, positional intelligence, and top-tier dribbling ability, Davies is the ideal wing-back for Amorim’s system. However, the Red Devils may now be forced to explore alternative options. One intriguing name on their radar is Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras. The 21-year-old left-back has been turning heads with a breakout season for the Eagles after making a summer switch from United for a modest fee of £7.5 million. Smartly, United included a £16 million buy-back clause in his contract, potentially giving them a golden opportunity to bring him back into the fold. But is Alvaro Carreras the solution to United’s left-back conundrum?