Real Madrid are reportedly set to push ahead with plans to snap up David Alaba after the versatile defender announced his Bayern Munich exit.
Alaba will become a free agent in the summer when his latest contract with Bayern, where he has spent more than a decade in the first team, comes to an end.
The Austria international is one of a number of centre-backs to be linked with a switch to the Bernabeu, along with Dayot Upamecano, Kalidou Koulibaly and Jules Kounde.
However, Upamecano is to join Bayern from RB Leipzig at the end of the season, while Kounde and Koulibaly are likely to be out of Madrid's price range this summer.
That leaves Alaba as their best choice to strengthen at the back, with Spanish outlet AS reporting that Los Blancos are confident of reaching an agreement with the 28-year-old.
Madrid are expected to lose long-serving skipper Sergio Ramos at the end of the campaign when his existing deal expires.
Daniel Lewis
