Real Madrid are reportedly keeping a close eye on the uncertain contract situation of Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies.
The Ghana-born left-back - who represents Canada at international level - has become renowned for his explosive displays down the wings since joining the Bundesliga champions in January 2019.
Bayern paid €14m (£12m) to capture the 23-year-old, who has already won five successive Bundesliga titles at the Allianz Arena, in addition to the Champions League and Club World Cup.
From 172 games in a Bayern shirt, Davies has scored eight goals and set up 28 more across all tournaments, and he is also a four-time Canadian Footballer of the Year.
Davies has three assists to show from 19 matches for Thomas Tuchel's side in the current campaign, while a staggering set of statistics for Canada - with whom he is often deployed as an out-and-out winger - reads 15 goals and 18 assists from 44 caps.
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However, the 23-year-old's future remains clouded in mystery, as he only has a contract with Bayern until 2025, having signed his most recent extension in April 2020.
According to Bild - via Mundo Deportivo - Bayern are keen to tie Davies down for the long-term and have placed a renewal on the table, but the defender's salary demands are proving to be a stumbling block.
The Canada international is understood to be after a mammoth wage of €15m (£12.9m) per year, which would make him one of the best-paid players in the German champions' ranks.
Bayern are allegedly showing no desire to bow to Davies's financial demands, but the Bavarian giants are concerned about the prospect of the Canadian leaving on a free to join Real, as was the case with David Alaba in 2021.
Manager Tuchel has already expressed his desire to keep Davies, telling a press conference: "He is one of our players. And an absolutely key player. He knows how much we value him. I trust in sports management. He is still a very young player, we often forget that. He has room for improvement in every way."
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While Davies is yet to sign on the dotted line, Real remain attentive to the situation, having apparently identified the former Vancouver man as a long-term solution to their left-back conundrum.
Ferland Mendy has attempted to fill the void left by the departure of the legendary Marcelo, but the 28-year-old has struggled with injuries and is also due to become a free agent at the end of next season.
Carlo Ancelotti's side brought former academy product Fran Garcia back to the club from Rayo Vallecano over the summer, while Nacho Fernandez and Eduardo Camavinga are also capable of filling in at left-back.
Real sit above Girona at the top of the La Liga table on goal difference after 15 matches, and Los Blancos are back in action away to Real Betis on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Bayern are three points worse off than Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, albeit with a game in hand, and Tuchel's side take on Eintracht Frankfurt tomorrow.
Ben Knapton
