Madrid's top summer target must accept reduced pay after higher renewal offer

Real Madrid have identified the left-back position as one they could strengthen, and in Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, they feel they have the perfect signing lined up. However Los Blancos will have to ask the Canadian star to take a pay cut in order to come to the club.

Highlighting the example of Jude Bellingham, who turned down larger wages elsewhere, Marca say that Davies will have to follow a similar path if he wants to play with the Englishman. Davies has been in talks with Bayern on and off for a number of months, but without coming close to an agreement. Bayern are reportedly reluctant to meet Davies’ demands outright, considering his contributions not at the level of a top earner in the squad. His demands to stay at Bayern are reportedly €10-13m per annum.

The Bavarian side have upped their offer to €10m per annum, which is a significant increase though. This would outstrip what he would earn at Real Madrid. The report signals that at Real Madrid the belief is that squad harmony is in part dependent on a strong salary structure, and not awarding some players wages that outstrips the others – which also saves them money, not getting into auctions.

The fact that Ferland Mendy, Fran Garcia, Miguel Gutierrez and academy youngster Rafael Obrador are mentioned as alternatives to Davies shows there is a degree of concern that Davies might not join. Based on previous reports on the salary structure, the top earners at Real Madrid can expect between €10-12m per annum currently. This presumably means that like Bellingham, Davies would come in at the level below, which speculating, would be around €6-8m for the year. It could be a significant drop, and Davies looks as if he will have to work out his priorities.