Liverpool will be interested in signing Bayern Munich defender David Alaba, according to former Reds goalkeeper David James

The Austrian’s contract at the Bundesliga champions expires next summer and it looks likely he will be available on a free transfer after Bayern withdrew their offer of an extension to the player.

James says that Liverpool, along with the rest of the top six in England, will be looking at Alaba, although he is not 100% sure that the 28-year-old will be part of the Merseyside club’s summer recruitment plans:

“He is a phenomenal player. Watching him in the Champions League, he is scary going forward. Liverpool would want him – any top six of English clubs would want him. But it’s what you do once you’ve got him. These short-term fixes have long-term consequences because you end up pushing someone further down the line. It’s whether it fits into the Liverpool plan. One thing Liverpool have been very good at over the years is their recruitment, since Klopp took over, so if they weren’t thinking about him before they wouldn’t be one of their targets.”

Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as the likes of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, have been linked with the defender in recent months. The player himself, though,  is said to be more interested in signing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona at the moment.

Barca are not believed to be in the running for Alaba, but reports in Spain do suggest that Real may well consider a move for him due to the fact that they can sign him for nothing.