The defender could be an elite player, but the Spanish giants should not be spending big to add him to Carlo Ancelotti's squad

The world saw what Alphonso Davies did in August 2020. First, he turned Lionel Messi. Then, he pushed the ball around a sprawling Arturo Vidal. Next was Nelson Semedo, then Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet. The whole thing was finished with an incisive layoff to Joshua Kimmich, who obligingly poked home from six yards out. All said, Davies had taken out almost half of the Barcelona team to set up the killer fifth goal in Bayern Munich's 8-2 Champions League quarter-final romp.

That was nearly four years ago, and it has been widely assumed that, since then, Davies has remained at that level. After all, how could a footballer so good, so young, and so audacious do to a Barcelona side now not be one of the best in the world? He had broken the internet, surely the world must now be his.

Things haven't been so simple. Davies has, indeed, enjoyed his moments, and his quality cannot be doubted. But consistency – at least at an elite level – has been elusive. In that light, it is strange that Real Madrid have reportedly been interested in Davies for so long. Talk of a potential transfer has only intensified recently, Los Blancos now eager to sign the Canadian full-back, even reaching a verbal agreement to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu either this summer or next. But in a rare turn of events, it would seem a poor idea for a club that has thrived in the transfer market in the last three years.

Davies is a fine footballer and he could yet be an elite one, but he is not the hefty investment that Carlo Ancelotti's side need.

GettyA fresh challenge?

Davies has supposedly wanted to leave Bayern for some time now. The Canadian full-back was at his best under Hansi Flick in 2021, and has struggled to recapture that form since. Uncertainty over his future seems to be linked to the end of the 2022-23 season, when Bayern won the league on the final day, a late Jamal Musiala goal capturing an 11th-straight Bundesliga title after an infamous Borussia Dortmund late season collapse.

Musiala's heroics, though, did little to protect senior figures within the club. CEO Oliver Kahn and Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic's sackings were announced minutes after the final whistle. Neither of them were permitted to join Bayern's title celebrations – much to Kahn's public chagrin.

Talks of contract extensions in Bavaria have thinned out since then. It would seem to leave Bayern with issues across the board, with Davies, Kimmich, Musiala and Leroy Sane all on deals that expire in 2025. All four are key players for this side and there has been no concrete movement to keep any of them around for longer.

It is in that landscape that exit talk around Davies has grown. The left-back's outspoken agent has done little to squash suggestions that he would be honoured to suit up in Madrid white, while Davies' vague platitudes haven't reassured concerned parties: "I feel very comfortable here. I play in an incredible team at one of the absolute top clubs in Europe. I stay focused and give everything for the team and our fans."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesGlittering start at Bayern

This would seem to represent a massive shift from the wide-eyed former Vancouver Whitecaps winger who showed up in Munich in 2019, joining Bayern for an MLS record $22 million (£17m.) He needed over six months to crack the starting XI, eventually securing his spot after being converted from a left-winger to an attacking left-back – a change brought about by injuries elsewhere.

It worked perfectly. Davies, then still a teenager, took the Bundesliga by storm in the 2019-2020 season. He tallied eight goal contributions in 24 starts in the German top flight, and added five assists in cup competitions. He became the fastest player in Bundesliga history, reaching 36.51 kilometres per hour (22.69 mph) in a clash with Werder Bremen. Then came that hallmark assist – and accompanying performance – against Barca. It all amounted to a Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award, team of the season honour, and a spot on the FIFPro World 11 by the end of the year. "World class" conversations began – and never really lost momentum.

GettyA rocky two years

Since then, though, Davies has struggled. After enjoying another strong run with a Bundesliga-winning side, a stretch of health issues have stalled his career. In January 2022, the left-back tested positive for COVID-19, and started to feel consistent pain in his chest. A series of tests from doctors revealed that Davies had developed myocarditis – a rare but possible complication from contracting the disease.

For a brief period, it seemed that he might not ever play football again.

"That was very scary, especially [because] the doctors are saying that they don't know how long I was supposed to be out," he said. "At that time I had doubts in my head, whether I'm still going to be able to play football, but everything worked out at the end. I'm happy and I'm grateful for the doctor taking such good care of me. I'm happy that I can be back on the pitch."

Davies returned to the fray in April, but the Bavarians' season was mostly over by the time he stepped on the pitch again. Things were further complicated in the 2022-23 season. He was on the wrong end of a Jude Bellingham boot in October, and
suffered a bruised skull that ruled him out for a short period. Another knock, sustained in November, threw his World Cup into jeopardy. And although he played for his country in Qatar, this wasn't a fully-fit player strutting his stuff – even if he did impress.

Davies recovered somewhat for the months after, but missed the last five matches of the Bundesliga season. By that time, transfer talk had kicked into gear, and new manager Thomas Tuchel had proved that he could set up a team without him.

(C)Getty ImagesThe Madrid rumours

Los Blancos have reportedly been tracking Davies for some time, but it was his World Cup showings – when Canada were outmatched against more experienced sides – that really impressed scouts. There had supposedly been Spanish interest for a while, with Davies himself claiming that he could have been a Barca player, only for Joan Laporta to call the deal off due to Davies' nationality.

It would seem to open the door for Madrid to strike. This looks a lot like a Real Madrid transfer of old, with Davies arguably one of the best in the world in his position. He is in his prime, marketable, and exciting. Los Blancos don't do galacticos anymore, but if they wanted a statement signing – as much as a left-back can be one – then this is their man.

Davies, apparently, would be open to a move away, too. Bayern are in something of a transitional period. New sporting director Max Eberl has promised to start contract negotiations with the full-back – as well as a few other key names – but change is afoot. Tuchel is set to leave at the end of the season and a new manager would undoubtedly bring in fresh ideas and systems of his own. If there ever was a time for Davies to leave, with a reason to do so, then this is it.