Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge provides update on Thiago and David Alaba amid exit talks
FC Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has provided an update on Thiago Alcantara and David Alaba, who are both being linked with moves away from the club.
| Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. | Photo: Michael Lucan/CC-by-SA 3.0 |
With just one year left on their contracts, Thiago and Alaba have both been linked with moves away from the German champions this summer, but Rummenigge has now confirmed that they will be both be part of Bayern's Champions League squad no matter what.
"We will approach the rest of the Champions League with Thiago and Alaba. There's no doubt that they will be part of our squad," Rummenigge said at a press conference on Thursday and added:
"They will definitely play this tournament for us, and then we'll see.
"I have to say quite clearly that we don't have to accelerate the contract talks now. What's important is that David and Thiago concentrate on the Champions League, which resumes in two weeks."
Rummenigge did reiterate that Thiago is looking to leave the club, though. Liverpool have been touted as a potential destination for the Spanish midfielder, but the Bayern boss claims no clubs have inquired about the 29-year-old so far.
"Some time ago, he told us that he would like to do something new before his career ends. To this date, we have not been in contact with any club about him. I don't know if Thiago has talked to a potential new club himself."
Rummenigge also reacted to speculation that Alaba's wage demands are one of the stumbling blocks in Bayern's negotiations with the Austrian international.
"With David, we will have to wait and see. Talks with his management are ongoing," Rummenigge said at the press conference.
"He has told his agent and [Bayern sporting director] Hasan Salimidzic that he can imagine staying in Munich until the end of his career. But of course, contract talks are always about money. We have put our cards down on the table. Now, it's up to David, his agent and his father to make a decision.
"When it comes to wages, some agents obviously still believe that nothing has changed. But things are different. I'm not sure if we can find a compromise," Rummenigge said, referring to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Should Thiago and Alaba choose not to sign new deals, Bayern will look to cash in on them this summer, but not at any price.
"The transfer fees have gone down quite significantly in these last couple of weeks and months.
"If these players decide not to extend their contracts, we will have to think about selling them. But I have to say that some of the numbers I have been reading make me laugh. We will not have a corona summer sale here at Bayern München, you can be sure of that!"
