The transfer has not yet been officially confirmed. According to Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement is in place, with the final formalities still to be completed. As Alaba has been a free agent since leaving Real Madrid at the end of his contract, Udinese can sign him even though the regular transfer window has already closed.
An unexpected destination after months of speculation
For a long time, few would have expected Udinese to emerge as Alaba’s next club. Since leaving Madrid, the versatile defender has been linked with teams across several continents. Inter Miami, Al-Sadd and Club América were all mentioned, as were Union Berlin and Hamburg. Reports also connected him with Manchester United, Lazio and a number of other high-profile clubs.
Not every rumour, however, appeared to have much substance. Sky Sport Austria reported at the beginning of September that several supposed rejections had never actually taken place. At that point, Alaba had neither reached an agreement with a club nor subsequently been turned down. Instead, the Austrian was apparently taking his time to assess which sporting project would best suit what could prove to be the final major chapter of his career.
Several leading Italian clubs were also linked with him. According to Football Italia, Alaba was offered to Inter, Milan and Juventus during the summer. Udinese, however, now appear to be the club that have turned interest into something concrete.
Runjaic favours a back three
From a sporting perspective, the move could make sense. Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic currently prefers a 3-4-2-1 system. James Abankwah, Christian Kabasele and Enzo Ebosse have recently featured in the back three, and Alaba could operate either on the left side of that unit or in a more central role.
His quality in possession would be particularly valuable. At his peak with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Alaba was one of those defenders who actively shaped his team’s build-up play, broke lines with passes and stepped into midfield when the situation demanded it. Runjaic has repeatedly stressed that Udinese need to improve their possession game and their consistency over the full 90 minutes. After the defeat to Inter, he also criticised avoidable mistakes and lost individual duels.
For a team still in development, Alaba’s experience could therefore be every bit as valuable as his defensive quality. Udinese have made an inconsistent start to the new season and sit 13th after five matches with just four points.
The biggest question remains his fitness
There is, of course, an obvious reason why a four-time Champions League winner is available on a free transfer at the age of 34. Alaba’s final years in Madrid were heavily disrupted by injuries.
The most serious setback came in December 2023, when he tore his cruciate ligament and was sidelined for more than a year. Further problems followed after his return. Real Madrid diagnosed an adductor injury in February 2025, before a tear in the medial meniscus of his left knee required surgery at the end of April. In June of the same year, the club also confirmed a soleus muscle injury.
Those setbacks made it difficult for Alaba to rediscover a consistent rhythm. In his final season with Real Madrid, he made just 16 competitive appearances. Even so, his departure was anything but low-key: after five years, 131 matches and eleven trophies, the Austrian was given an official farewell at the Santiago Bernabéu. His collection of honours in Madrid includes two Champions League titles and two Spanish league championships.
Udinese could offer a fresh start without maximum pressure
That is exactly why Udinese may represent an interesting middle ground. Alaba remains in one of Europe’s top leagues, but he would not be joining a club where every appearance is immediately scrutinised under the highest possible pressure. At the same time, Runjaic’s back three could give him a role in which his intelligence and build-up quality are more important than repeatedly having to defend large spaces in running duels.
A fit Alaba would also bring Udinese something that is difficult to buy: experience from decisive Champions League matches, title races with Bayern and Real Madrid, and more than a decade at the highest international level.
Whether he can produce another sustained spell at that level will depend largely on how his body responds after the injury problems of recent years. For now, however, the most important hurdle appears to have been cleared: after months of speculation, Alaba seems to have found a club capable of offering him a clear sporting perspective.
