Former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid defender David Alaba has been linked with a move to Bundesliga strugglers Hamburg.
Alaba, now 34, is a free agent after leaving Real Madrid when his contract expired at the end of last season. The Austria international has been without a club since then.
The experienced defender has seen his playing time severely restricted by injury problems in recent seasons. Since 2023, he has made only 47 appearances in all competitions.
According to Sport BILD, Alaba could make an unexpected return to the Bundesliga as Hamburg look to strengthen a team struggling at the bottom of the German top flight.
Hamburg have lost all three of their matches so far, scoring no goals and conceding 12. Their difficult start has prompted suggestions that the club could seek a player with the experience to help improve their defensive situation.
Alaba spent much of his career at Bayern Munich before moving to Real Madrid. A return to Germany would therefore represent a significant change for a player who has previously competed at the highest level with both clubs.
His record of injuries, however, is a major consideration. Although Alaba’s experience would be valuable to Hamburg, his limited availability in recent seasons could make any potential move difficult.
Financial restrictions are also understood to be an obstacle. Hamburg would need to assess whether they could meet the requirements of a deal for the free agent while also considering the risks associated with his injury history.
No transfer has been confirmed, but the possibility of Alaba returning to the Bundesliga has emerged as Hamburg attempt to respond to their poor start.