Alaba hints Premier League is no longer main goal but guarded on Barcelona and Real Madrid

David Alaba suggested playing in the Premier League is no longer his main career goal but was unwilling to discuss links to Real Madrid and Barcelona as he announced his departure from Bayern Munich.

Austria international Alaba confirmed at a news conference on Tuesday that he will leave Bayern when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with Real Madrid and Barcelona, while Premier League giants Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest.

When a reporter pointed out that in 2009 he had stated playing in England was his primary career objective, Alaba said “a lot of things change”.

“Well, that was in 2009 I think the interview you’re referring to, that’s a while back. In the meantime I’ve been here for 13 years and didn’t go to England, so a lot of things change,” said Alaba.

“Bayern really influenced me as a person. I had an incredible career I was able to enjoy and celebrated many incredible moments.

“Many things have changed since 2009, so my mindset is probably a little bit different now than it was and I may place more value on other criteria than I did at the time.”

Asked specifically if Madrid and Barcelona were potential destinations, he said: “I don’t know what you’re listening to or what not.

“My management is talking to everyone and they inform me. I’m not stressed out about this situation, but I will decide at some point in the future and I’ll let you know where I’m going to go.

“It’s no secret my management is talking to clubs. Obviously I’m involved in this exchange. Obviously there’s going to be a lot of speculation, but I want to concentrate completely on my job here in Bayern. I’m going to be talking to my management but the future will show what happens.

“All kinds of criteria are going to come into play, I’m going to think about all of them. But I want to evolve as a player. I want to continue to play successful football, so that’s going to be very important.

“I want to gain more experience and show it on the pitch. I just want to leave my comfort zone and take the next step.

“I don’t have a deadline, and I’m not worried about moving either. There’s no rush.”

Alaba has recently taken to barking out commands in Spanish, but insists this is just a matter of convenience and not something he has been working on.

“Well, we had several Spanish players on the pitch, so when that happens you learn a lot of the lingo,” he said.

“Lucas [Hernandez] is playing next to me quite a bit which is why I use these Spanish commands, although his German is continuously improving. Currently it’s just easier in Spanish for Lucas.

“It’s not good [Alaba’s Spanish], no. It’s good enough for the pitch. That’s it!”