Alphonso Davies’ bold choice–Why he rejected Real Madrid for Bayern Munich stay: ‘It was not easy’
Alphonso Davies’ future had been the subject of intense speculation, with the Canadian left-back’s contract originally set to expire this summer. As one of the most sought-after defenders in world soccer, Real Madrid had been strongly linked with securing his signature on a free transfer. The Spanish giants were not the only ones interested, with multiple clubs across Europe keeping tabs on his situation. However, in a surprising turn of events, Davies decided to renew his contract with Bayern Munich until 2030, putting an end to months of uncertainty.
The 23-year-old, who has played a pivotal role in Bayern’s recent dominance, could have walked away for free at the end of the season. Instead, he chose to extend his stay in Germany, despite serious interest from other top clubs. What led him to reject the chance to join one of soccer’s most historic institutions?
For months, reports suggested that Davies was considering a move to Madrid. His agent, Nedal Huoseh, confirmed that negotiations had taken place with Los Blancos, as well as with several other European powerhouses. “There were always conversations with various clubs, and of course, Real Madrid was one of them. But in the end, no agreement was signed or a commitment was reached with any club, as we left the door open for the player to evaluate all the options for himself,” Huoseh revealed to the media.
Despite the allure of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 24-year-old ultimately opted for stability and familiarity over the uncertainty of a move. His agent explained that the delay in Bayern Munich’s managerial and sporting direction played a crucial role in the decision. “At first, it was not easy because we were not sure what would happen with Bayern Munich, and the player was aware of that. So we kept all the options open.”
In the end, the Bundesliga champions reassured Davies of their long-term vision, convincing him to extend his contract. Los Blancos, on the other hand, had assumed they could land the Canadian star without complications, and their failure to do so now leaves them scrambling for alternatives in the left-back position.
What this means for Real Madrid
Real Madrid had long considered Davies their top target for the left-back role. Since last year, reports in Spain had made it seem like the deal was all but done, with the Whites expecting to sign him on a free transfer. The club has been dealing with inconsistencies in that position, with both Ferland Mendy and Fran García failing to fully convince Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the unexpected renewal now forces Madrid to rethink its transfer strategy. While there are other targets available, very few offer the same combination of pace, defensive solidity, and attacking threat that Davies does. Madrid will now have to explore alternative options, either through internal solutions or by targeting another left-back in the summer window.
Premier League and Saudi Arabia interest
Davies’ agent also acknowledged that other clubs, including Premier League sides, had shown interest in signing him. “In the Premier League, there was interest from two or three clubs, just like in Spain. However, the player’s options were limited: only around five clubs showed genuine interest in signing him. When you leave a club like Bayern Munich, you don’t have many high-level options because you are already in one of the best clubs in the world.”
Additionally, there had been approaches from Saudi Arabian clubs, but Davies was not interested in making the switch at this stage of his career. “While there was interest from Saudi Arabia, we did not progress to an advanced stage as we didn’t want it to become a media story or be used as leverage for a better contract in Europe. The player simply wasn’t ready for a move to Saudi Arabia,” Huoseh explained.