Real Madrid will not pay Bayern Munich defender David Alaba the €11m (£9.4m) a year salary he is demanding, according to AS.

The Madrid based newspaper reports that Real had been leading the race for the Austrian international but the “situation has gone wrong” due to the player’s wage demands.

With the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea all thought to be interested in Alaba, it could be a major boost in their attempts to sign the 28-year-old on a free transfer this summer.

The Austrian has confirmed he will leave Bayern when his contract expires in June but, so far, no club has been willing to meet his salary expectations.

AS say Joan Laporta’s election as Barcelona president may lead to the La Liga side also joining the battle for Alaba’s signature, but it seems Real Madrid are no longer the favourites.

It will be interesting to see whether United will now make their move. The club are keen to sign another centre-back and the defender would certainly add some pace to their backline.