Alaba extends Bayern contract, Guardiola delighted

Austrian international left-back, David Alaba, has extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2021, the Bundesliga club announced on Friday.
Alaba, 23, becomes the fourth player to prolong their stay at Bayern alongside striker Thomas Muller and central defenders Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez.
“I’m proud that I’ll continue to play for my club. I grew up at FC Bayern and I’ve experienced unbelievably wonderful moments here. We’re all hungry to add further trophies to the ones we’ve already won,” said Alaba, who touched down in Bavaria in 2008 when just 16 years old.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: “David Alaba is an FC Bayern youth product, so we are especially delighted at his signature today keeping him here at least until 2021.
“He is one of the players who gives our current team its character. The way he plays, but also how he conducts himself away from the field, are the embodiment of FC Bayern. He will continue to be one of the cornerstones of our team in the years to come.”
Menawhile, Pep Guardiola insists he is happy that David Alaba has pledged his future to Bayern Munich by signing a new contract.
The Bundesliga leaders announced on Friday that the Austria international has extended his deal, which had been set to expire in 2018, until June 2021.
Alaba had been linked with a possible transfer to Manchester City at the end of the season to join up with Guardiola when he takes charge at the Etihad Stadium, but the Bayern boss praised the club for securing the defender’s future.
“I’m very pleased with his extension,” he said. “He’s one of the best players at the club. He has a connection with the fans.
“All the players and the staff love Alaba.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash with Cologne, Guardiola confirmed that Arjen Robben is set to miss out with a muscle problem but expects him to be fully fit after the international break.
“Arjen cannot play tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “I hope he is back with us after the international break. He has a small muscular problem. It’s not such a big injury, I don’t think.
“Javi Martinez is fit, he could play. He’s had no pain over the last three days, he’s very confident.”
Bayern head into the game with a five-point lead over Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga, but Guardiola has warned they cannot afford to allow their form to dip given the consistency displayed by their closest title rivals.
“Every game is a final,” he said. “The players know that Dortmund can get seven victories in a row. It depends on us. It’s entirely in our hands.”