David Alaba wanted Arsenal transfer, claims journalist

David Alaba was determined to sign for Arsenal rather than Bayern Munich when he originally joined from Austria Vienna, according to a journalist.

Alaba joined Bayern in 2008, moving to the Allianz Arena from Austria Wien as a 16-year-old.

The left-back has since become an integral part of the German side, winning four Bundesliga titles and a Champions League among his 12 trophies at club level.

The 23-year-old is also a reigning five-time consecutive Austrian Footballer of the Year, and has been named in the last three UEFA Teams of the Year.

But, according to journalist Andras Heidenreich, who covered Alaba’s rise to prominence, Bayern was not the Austrian’s first choice.

“David was so good that Austria [Wien] couldn’t keep him,” Heidenreich told France Football. “Heiko Vogel, Bayern’s U14 manager, spotted him during a tournament in Bremen. He was straight away seduced by his will and charisma on the pitch.

“He was the best in his team with [Christoph] Knasmüllner. However, David will say no twice to Bayern Munich, a team he didn’t like. He preferred Arsenal, where his idol, Patrick Vieira, played.”