Udinese have reportedly reached an agreement to sign free agent defender David Alaba following his release from Real Madrid.
Alaba's five-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu came to an end this summer as Los Blancos announced they would not be renewing his contract with the club.
Joining from Bayern Munich on a free in 2021, the 34-year-old made 134 appearances for Real Madrid and won two La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns during his stint in the Spanish capital.
However, injuries disrupted his final two seasons with Real and Alaba made a total of 47 appearances in all competitions during the previous three seasons after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament in December 2023.
Reports in the summer suggested Alaba had a whole host of top Serie A clubs chasing his signature including Inter and Juventus, but ultimately no deal came to fruition.
Alaba played four times for Austria during the 2026 World Cup and it was expected his performances in North America would put him in the shop window for a quick move.
After carefully considering his options, a door has opened into Italy's top-flight, although Udinese are unexpected customers.
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Udinese have reached a verbal agreement with Alaba and his representatives which will see the Austria international move to Udine.
Despite his recent injury record, the acquisition of Alaba will be viewed as a major coup for Udinese, who are currently 13th in Serie A with just one win from their opening five league fixtures.
The Bianconeri finished 10th under Kosta Runjaić last term, which was the club's highest finish in Serie A since finishing fifth in the 2012/13 campaign.
Udinese's squad contains several familiar names to fans in the UK with former Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis top-scoring for the Stadio Fruili outfit in the previous campaign, while ex-Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller joined the club in 2025.
Udinese's affiliation with Watford through the Pozzo family means there are several former Hornets players on the books in Udine, including Vakoun Bayo and Christian Kabasele.
