DAVID Alaba’s agent has been branded a ‘piranha’ after reportedly demanding £18.5million from Bayern Munich to get the defender to extend his contract.
Super-agent Pini Zahavi is claimed to be holding out on negotiations until he can pocket a big payday for himself – all while Alaba’s contract ticks down in its final year.
David Alaba has reportedly found himself in the middle of a tug of war between his club Bayern Munich and his agent
Pini Zahavi is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich
Zahavi’s alleged actions have not gone down well at the club, with former president Uli Hoeness blasting him as a “greedy piranha”.
Reports from Bild say that one of the main sticking points in Alaba’s extension is the agent fee.
Zahavi is reportedly demanding a whopping 20 million euros, or £18.5 million, to get Alaba’s signature on the dotted line.
Bayern Munich have continued to hold out but with the Austrian’s contract running down, they face a race against time to stop him walking out for free next summer.
The German giants will also be concerned with reports suggesting Manchester City are following the situation closely.
The stand-off left ex-Beryn chief Hoeness fuming and he did not hold back during a TV appearance when the 77-year-old agent’s name cropped up.
Hoeness, who stepped down as club president in November, told Sport1: “He [Alaba] has a greedy piranha for an agent.
“His father, whom I like a lot, he’s letting himself be influenced by him very much.
Uli Hoeness had a few choice words for Pini Zahavi who he branded a ‘greedy piranha’
“It’s purely about money.
“If you only knew what Mr Zahavi demands only for himself for David’s signature for an eight-figure sum.
“That is not at all possible. I can understand that Hasan [Salihamidzic] totally flipped out at a meeting. The arguments that are exchanged there defy belief.”
The revealing comments exposed the Israeli agent’s strained relationship with the club, where he also represents their star striker Robert Lewandowski, 32.
Hoeness was far more complimentary about Alaba who he called a “super guy.”
He added: “Hansi Flick absolutely wants to keep him. Everyone wants him to stay. He’s a very good player.
“I hope that David and his father realise that a four or five-year contract at FC Bayern is the best for them and that they adapt to our wage structure. Then everyone would be happy.
“The last millions this is about will not make him happier – but would mess up our wage structure. That’s why the club has to be very firm in this matter.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
